Just curious what others are marking the utility room as?

On this plan of mine, does can anyone tell me what the blue is to the right of the master bathroom as well as the blue just above the pool bathroom? Thanks in advance.

Round 1 - Juliet Morrison

House 1

I loved House 1 when I saw it, it looked so modern, and the layout was great. I loved the carport with the built-in storage, it would be a great place to store Bump's toys.



The open-plan layout inside was perfect and the wall of windows overlooking the terrace was amazing, it's the kind of room I'd never dreamt of living in.



*Sigh* The bathroom is a big let down though. It's not much bigger than the one I've got already, plus it doubles up as a laundry room too. I have to say I am disappointed by this.



Overhead View



House 2

I thought they had brought me to the wrong address when we pulled-up outside House 2, it is huge! Three bedrooms, a den and a bonus room, wow! I'd never thought I could have a house this size. The garden is a bit of a disappointment though, it's quite small, especially for a house this size.



Now this is what I'm talking about! This is my dream bathroom, just thinking about soaking my aching back in the tub makes me want to buy it!



And the Bonus Room would make a great office for me, it large and well-lit with plenty of natural light. It's so big I could probably set up my photography studio in here.



Overhead View
Ground Floor





House 3

House 3 was definitely uninspiring from the front, just 2 tiny windows and a door, it looked more like a box than a house. However, the back garden is just perfect, large enough for a child to run around and a nice deck for me to sit and enjoy the fresh air.



The open-plan layout again is perfect for me and with plenty of windows overlooking the garden it's very light and airy.



*Sigh* The bathroom... not what I was hoping for. In fact I'm sure it's the same size as the one in my apartment. At least it's not the only one, there is a shower room upstairs.



Overhead View
Ground Floor





• What are your thoughts on the houses you saw today?

It was so exciting! House 1 was amazing from the outside and the inside was almost perfect too. If the bathroom had been bigger it would be a winner. House 2 was huge, and I fell in love with the master bathroom. There were more rooms than I know what to do with, but I'm sure I'd manage to fill them! The only disappointing feature was the garden, it was quite small. Finally House 3, from the front it was pretty ugly, however it has a large, fully-enclosed rear garden which would be ideal for me and Bump. The rooms weren't huge but definitely adequate for our needs. Again, the main disappointment was the bathroom, it was tiny, but there was also a shower room upstairs which helped compensate for that.

• How do you feel about leaving your current house?

I am so excited! Living is a single room apartment was great when I was on my own, but with a baby due soon I really need the extra space. Plus I am looking forward to expanding my business when I have more space.


• Which of the 3 houses is your favorite?

Well, if I could have House 1, with House 2's master bathroom, and House 3's garden it would be my ideal house and I would buy it straight away! As they are, I'm leaning towards House 3, but that could change when I've had more time to think about it.

Wesson Family r1

Application scores and comments

I was asked to pass this on from one of the judges, kattenijin:
All Contestants: I apologise in advance for the lack of comments. I have a tooth infection, and am not at my best, I promise to be more "vocal" for the next round.

Your applications were scored on:
• Following contest rules and round directions
• Creativity and Originality
• How well you portrayed your family's needs for a new house
• Photos: (how well do they portray the family & the house's problem areas)

I want to point out that a lot of you lost an easy point by not including your name and/or your family's name & the round in the title bar of your post.

:baloons: Congrats to CisteCaise for the application round's high score of 72/75! :baloons:

There will be no eliminations this round or any other round; you all deserve to make it to the end

The Harris Family - Round 1

House One:


Basment Upstairs

Realtor: Hi Jaina, welcome to the first home. It's brand new and ready for moving into. It has a master suite, one bedroom, one bath, full kitchen, full basement, and wonderful outdoor entertaining space. Unfortunately the weather isn't cooperating, let's head inside and hope it clears up!

Jaina Harris: The house looks lovely from the outside - the wrap around porch will be great for entertaining.



Realtor: This is the master bath, part of the large master suite. The master suite is upstairs with the den. You'd have the privacy you're looking for without compromising any space!

Jaina Harris: I adore this bathroom! The style fits me perfectly. The window seat in the corner is wonderful. I love the privacy - it's great for us both to have our own bedrooms; however, I am concerned about being so far away from Sylvie's room!

Sylvia Harris: I wish this was my bathroom!

Jaina Harris: Hehe, maybe someday sweetie.

Realtor: Great, let's have a look at the den, shall we?



Realtor: Well Jaina, this is the den. It's upstairs with the master, but you could even convert this into a bedroom for Sylvia.

Jaina Harris: I aboslutely love this as a room. We could hang art in here, we can paint - Sylvie will finally have room to do her homework. And OH-look at the wonderful exposed rock. It really gives this cabin an earthy feel.

Realtor: I'm glad you like it! Let's head out and check out the porch you've been dying to see!



Jaina Harris: I love this yard! There is plenty of room for a garden and the pond is great. We could fish and cook out. And the rain stopped - a good omen!

Sylvia Harris: There is even room for my swingset! I love it!

Realtor: I'm glad you liked the house. Don't make any decisions yet, we still have two more wonderful homes to see!

House Two:



Realtor: Okay Jaina, welcome to your second choice. This is also a new home and a little larger than the last. It has that master suite you've been wanting. It has tons of great, little features.

Jaina Harris: The weather has cleared up and things are looking up - let's go in!



Realtor: This is the bonus room. Sylvia seems to have taken a liking to the backyard.

Jaina Harris: I love this room. It's great. It could double as a bedroom if we needed. It's secluded from the rest of the house so it could even work as a guest room. So many possibilities. Is that a pool house I see?

Realtor: It is indeed. Let's check out backyard!



Jaina Harris: I absolutely LOVE this yard. A pool house already installed. A full playground ready for Sylvie. We have room to grow, I like it.

Sylvia Harris: Hehe, I love these bars!

Jaina Harris: Sylvie, you be careful!

Realtor: I'm glad you like it. The pool is heated, by the way. Shall we step into the kitchen? I know it's important for you.



Sylvia Harris: Mommy, look! A table with room to move!

Jaina Harris: Yes sweetie, this kitchen is great. I love the open layout. The appliances are in excellent condition - what's not the love? It even has a little nook and bar. The dining room is right around the corner and the great room is within feet. I could cook and still be apart of the party - I love it.

Realtor: I'm glad you liked this home - we aren't done yet. We have one more home to see!

House Three:



Jaina Harris: The exterior of this house is beautiful! The landscaping is great. Plenty of room to entertain and plenty of room for Sylvia to play. And look at these wonderful flowers - so well kept! I love it!

Sylvia Harris: Wee! Lots of butterflies in the garden!

Realtor: The exterior is newly done. This home was recently foreclosed, that is the reason for the low cost.



Jaina Harris: This is just as good as the front of the home! look at all the flowers. Again, room for Sylvie to play in. We could even add a little greenhouse and pool! You've certainly outdown yourself this time.

Sylvia Harris: I love it! I can practice my gymnastics, mommy!

Realtor: Wonderful...let's step inside, shall we? Keep an open mind.



Jaina Harris: ...I see why this home costs so little now. Look at these awful colors. Is that...linoleum? Pink appliances! This is like someone took a paint brush to the old house and painted it pink. Oh my go--is that shag carpet?

Sylvia Harris: Mommy, this carpet hurts my knees!

Realtor: The interior is certainly dated. Keep an open mind...let's check out the master suite, shall we?



Jaina Harris: This room is just as bad as the blasted kitchen! PINK? In the master suite? This is ridiculous. The only good thing is that it gives me privacy and is close to Sylvie's room.

Realtor: Before the home was foreclosed the previous owners did a complete exterior overhaul. Their funds ran short in the interior - but keep in mind, this is at the lower end of your budget at only 100 thousand simoleans!

Jaina Harris: Hmm..that's true. But I don't know if the work would be worth it - new floors, new walls? A new kitchen? Two complete new baths? We would be able to make this home "ours," but it's something we have to think about.

Realtor: You have three great options, sleep on them and get back to me with your decision!

Questions:

What are your thoughts on the houses you saw today?

Jaina Harris: All three home were great. They all had their own pros and cons. They all had the things we were looking for. House one was great indoors. The layout was open and fresh, the basement gives us room to grow, and the master suite is to die for!

Sylvia Harris: I didn't like the outside, mommy. The front was ugly and no pretty flowers!

Jaina Harris: The front was a little rough - nothing we cannot change though. The backyard was excellent. House two was amazing inside and out. A pool and playground already there? I love the idea of living there. Plenty of room to grow and expand my family.

Sylvia Harris: It was so fun! The second house even let me have a huge room for sleepovers!

Jaina Harris: The exterior of the third house was definately the nicest - the inside was awful. I'd have the money to redo it, I'm not sure if I'd like the task. Still, something I must consider.

How do you feel about leaving your current house?

Jaina Harris: I am excited to leave. It's a great home for a single person - not for a family. After seeing these homes, I don't even wanna go back to make my decision there.

Sylvia Harris: I can't wait to have my own room! I love to play outside and it will be so fun in the new house!

Which of the 3 houses is your favorite

Jaina Harris: I love things about each one. Can't we take the master suite of the cabin, the kitchen of the second home, and the exterior of the third and make my dream home? Hehe! I loved them all and cannot wait to grow into whichever we decide is for us!

Sylvia Harris: I loved house two. The pool and slides were so cool!

CiaoAlora.....The Blanton Family, Round one:

House Number One :


I really like the garden in the front entry, it looks pretty low maintenance, and inviting. The exterior is nice looking too, I like the mix of stone and wood.


I love that it has an office that opens right onto the family room and has this great door to the sun-room. It would be a joy to work in here while Mia plays nearby.


This master suite is to die for! I would love this bathroom, my own bathroom...This room is huge and has two closets, my old house doesn't even have one....

Aerial View:



House Number Two :


I love the architecture of this house, it has so much character. The flat roof and different heights looks amazing! The fenced back yard is nice, plus it has a small enclosed pool. This would be a nice place for raising Mia.


This fireplace is so cozy and really warms up the room, and I like the openness of the layout, with the kitchen, eating area and living-room all together.


Hm, an unfinished basement, well I was really hoping for an office, but it could be expanded in the future.

Aerial View Main Floor:


Aerial View Basement:



House Number Three :


It seems a bit small from the outside. But it is cute. Looks like a little doll house.


Wow, this bedroom is huge! I do like the generous size of the rooms despite the houses' overall small appearance. But it does not have an office nor does it have the space to add one in the future.


This is the only full bathroom in the house, the other one reminds me of the old houses' bathroom, but this one is amazing! It feels so big and spa-like, I wouldn't mind taking a soak in that tub.


Aerial View Main Floor:


Aerial View Upper Floor:



• What are your thoughts on the houses you saw today?
I wish I would have had a sitter for my daughter, she wanted to play in every single toilet in all the houses we went to today so I had to hold onto her the whole time. My aching back! But other than that, I really enjoyed the house tours. Every house I saw had a neutral color palette, so I could really envision how I would live in the space. It will make it nice for when we move in so that we can put our own personal mark on the house. I liked bits and pieces out of every house I saw, house number one had an amazing layout, it would be perfect for us fight now, house number two however, had a lot of potential for the future even with it's lack of an office space. And house number three was cute and cozy, with over-sized bedrooms which was nice, but was short on expandability.

• How do you feel about leaving your current house?
I can't wait to sign on the dotted line! We are almost finished packing our belongings.

• Which of the 3 houses is your favorite?
I'm really torn between house number one and house number two, both are just so great in their own way, it will make my decision hard.

Round One: The Gabriel Family: TRIriana

House One


Aerial Views
Ground Floor
First Floor
Roof

Exterior Shot


Interior Shots

Alexandria: From the outside this house looks huge. Inside the rooms, for the most part, are medium to small though... It has three bedrooms, which is nice. But I think in the attempt at putting as many special feature rooms in as possible, the main rooms have been downsized. This is the kids' room, but it's so small! This would fit little Banafrit and her crib in but, beyond that? There just isn't space for much else. It's a shame, really because I really like the starlight feel of the room, and so did she.


Alexandria: From a purely luxurious point of view though, this room is amazing! There are three bathrooms in all, one downstairs and a smaller one upstairs with a shower... and then this hot tub. It was a big surprise, and a very nice one too. Still, buying a house just for a hot tub would be a bit silly.


House Two


Aerial Views
Ground Floor
First Floor
Roof

Exterior

Milo: The size of the front garden is...amazing, to put it simply. The back garden is very small, but the front is very large and more than makes up for that. In my opinion, brick houses of this size can sometimes look too imposing and impersonal but this one has a lot of character.
Adam: Exactly right. And inside it was even better. There are many rooms, and the study and living room stretches across the ground and first floor - which means there's plenty of space to just relax and have a moment or two to yourself. In fact, you can see the study just behind me, where Alex is standing inside.

Interior

Adam: The current owners of the house are still in the process of moving out, and so some of their furniture is still here. It's very tastefully decorated. I especially like the fireplace and, while smaller than the one at our present home, still adds something to the lower living room.[/B]


Alexandria: As you can probably tell, most of the stuff has been taken from the bedroom so it looks a bit on the empty side at the moment. But it fits things in quite nicely I think...it has this homey cosy feel to it, which I especially like. There's also a private bathroom attached to this bedroom and, from that, a walk in towel room.
Adam: From where I'm stood there's actually a balcony on this, the first floor, peering down into the reception room downstairs. It looks amazing, I have to say. And I checked too...the balcony is reinforced, and the iron banisters are close enough to meet regulation standards. It's perfectly safe.
Alexandria: I know there's still a third house to look at but, I have to say...this is by far my favourite so far. There are three bedrooms and bathrooms, two studies and living rooms, a sizeable dining room, kitchen and informal breakfast room. Then upstairs to the east and west wing two empty rooms to convert into whatever we want!
Milo: If we decide to give Banafrit a sibling or two more, there'd be more than enough room.

House Three


Aerial Views
Ground Floor
First Floor
Roof

Exterior

Alexandria: The main thing we knew about this house was that the previous owners had moved across country after six months of living here, so it was still a very new home. The estate agent said that we'd be wowed by this place but...I wasn't so sure. I'd really liked the second house we explored yesterday, but I kept an open mind.
Milo: With Adam looking after Banafrit for us, we planned to really stroll around this place. I must say, when I first saw the house looming in the distance, it took my breath away. The veranda was very large, and I can imagine a little porch swing standing out there. Unfortunately it wasn't the weather for dilly-dallying too much, so we hurried inside to take a look at the rooms.

Interior

Milo: As we stepped inside, I was very much hoping that it wouldn't be like the first house: large from the outside but squashed up rooms inside. Walking past the spiral staircase we made our way into the kitchen. Alexandria and I both love to cook, so a sizeable kitchen is a must for us.
Alexandria: I definitely wasn't disappointed! The kitchen was huge. As well as all the cabinets and usual appliances, there was also a breakfast bar and a formal eating table. What I thought was a very nice touch was the interior window set into the walll; for one very good reason...


Alexandria: It showed off the interior swimming pool. As it turned out, this used to be a garage but the previous owners had no car or motorcycle, and so converted it. There's still plenty of space outside for a driveway, or another extension though, so that isn't of any concern to us.
Milo: I don't swim, but it was certainly a very nice - and unexpected, touch. It would be a great place to teach little little ones how to swim, and I know Alexandria loves to relax in the water.
Alexandria: There are more than enough bedrooms in the house too, all of a decent size; and a spare room that can be converted. The importance of having enough bedrooms was of an even greater impact too, when I found out yesterday that I'm expecting again!
Milo: I think, after this viewing...I have an idea which house we'll be going for...

What are your thoughts on the houses you saw today?
I think you can guess from our commentary just how happy we were with this little gem. I know Alexandria had her heart set on the second house we saw, but I think she may have altered her mind a little bit.

How do you feel about leaving your current house?
From my part, sad I think. We've lived there for so many years now, and it was our first house together...we'd been so lucky to find it initially. But Milo reminded me that it's a necessity that we move, and that house has given us so many happy memories...like our new home will.

Which of the 3 houses is your favourite?
Alexandria: I'm torn between the second one and the third...swaying more toward the latter. Milo adores the third house, and Adam liked the second - but he's pretty giddy about seeing the third too, after the photographs we took. Banafrit...as long as she has her toys, she's happy with any!