I Won't Buy a New House That Doesn't Have These Features

I am currently in the process of house hunting to buy a new home. I have already been pre-approved for a mortgage loan and I have my down payment money waiting, but it's been weeks and I haven't yet found a property I would consider buying.

While there are a lot of different features I'm interested in finding in a house -- like a swimming pool and a cute kitchen -- there are only a few absolute must-haves that would be deal-breakers if I'm not able to find them.

Here's what they are.

A safe and convenient location

The No. 1 most important thing I am looking for is a safe, convenient location. The reason I sold my last home was because of huge traffic problems, and I do not want to repeat that experience. I want to make sure the home is in a location that is close to everything important and that is also quiet and safe enough for my two young children to play outdoors.

A first floor master bedroom

A first floor master bedroom is another must-have for me. I have an elderly dog and I want to be able to make sure my pup is able to easily get to my bedroom each night. She can get up and down stairs, but they are harder for her and I'm afraid there will come a time when she can't, so a first floor bedroom is at the top of my list.

I also want a first floor room because, as my kids get older, I want them to have the upstairs space as their own domain with their bedrooms and a playroom. Plus, I want my bedroom to be safely at a distance so they can enjoy sleepovers and fun with friends without waking my husband and me up.

Plenty of storage

Storage space is a huge must-have for me because of those aforementioned children and also because I can't stand clutter. I want to be sure that there are plenty of closets for clothing as well as toy storage. And I want dedicated spaces to store holiday decorations as well as my extensive collection of dishes and serving pieces.

Since homes in the area of the country where I am looking generally do not have basements and since we need our garage to store our vehicles and bikes and sports equipment, a lack of good indoor storage is an absolute dealbreaker for me.

A private backyard

A private backyard is another must-have for me. We tend to spend a lot of time outdoors and we don't want to be looking into a neighbor's home (or have a neighbor being able to see us). Privacy is something that you can't really create if you don't have it when you move in, so I am prioritizing this above almost any interior feature other than the storage and master bedroom location.

If I'm able to find a house with these features, I'll be willing to accept a lot of other imperfections in order to get it. The key is, I've narrowed down my list and decided what's most important so I actually have a chance of finding a home to buy. I know there's no perfect house out there, but by defining what my biggest priorities are, I can find a home that will make me happy.

If you're looking for a house of your own, I'd recommend you make a list of your must-have features, so you'll be able to make rational decisions and end up in a house you'll be happy with for the long haul.