So, what are we looking for, anyway?

Being googley-eyed from seeing so many properties in two short days, it might be a good idea to remind myself again what it is we're looking for. Much of this is based on the fact that we are a family of five that hopes for more children in the future, we have a large extended family that is going to visit us frequently, possibly for extended stays, and possibly many people at the same time. We also have spent the last 8 years putting sweat equity into a fixer-upper and we're burned OUT on renovations!!! So for those reasons, we are looking for

• Colonial style home in move-in condition
• 4 Bedrooms upstairs
• Additional space for a guest room that has a full bath close by
• Space for a home gym
• Large updated kitchen with great room and open floor plan
• 1/3 acre lot or more
• A pool on the property or available for the subdivision or community
• White woodwork (we never want to have to paint dark woodwork again!)
• Vinyl windows

In addition, we would LOVE...

• Mudroom with laundry on first floor (Beth's wish list)
• 2.5-3 car garage (this is on Marc's wish list)
• Double oven (Beth's wish list)
• Stove with hood (Marc's wish list)

Sadly, in this market in Chicagoland...finding all of this on one property is proving to be an impossibility. So we're trying to make the best choices of pros and cons that we can. It will be interesting to see where we end up! Right now, we have a top choice from day one, a top choice from day two, and one listing left to see tomorrow.

Any ideas which two made the cut?