The 10' ceilings, beautiful wood trim and floors and old-home character are what sold us on our house (despite viewing it when it was rented to chain smokers who had a fetish for creepy HSN/QVC dolls). We have done quite a bit of work the four years we've been here (painted every room, landscaping, remodeled sunroom, rewired a few rooms).

The tiny, old garage (we can't even put a car in it) and ugly exterior color leave a bit to be desired, as does the fact it's a corner lot with no backyard, but for a starter home we're happy with it.

We definitely know what we want in our next house, though.

I reject houses that have wallpaper. I hate wallpaper.

The problem is that most people don't know how to put up wallpaper correctly, and then when they want to change it, they just go over the top of the old wallpaper. That happened at our current house, and it was a pain to get off all the glue from the walls. If it's put up correctly, it's not so bad; my parents took the wallpaper down from their house, and since my dad did it correctly (even 20 years ago), it came off easily.

Nothing in particular sold us on our current home we just bought in May. It was a good fit for us now and in our price range.

However, when we move up in 5-7 years, I really don't want a Dutch Colonial. I can't stand the thought of living in a house that looks like a barn. I don't know why - it's kinda weird.

I also really would love forced air heating. Most homes here have the old radiators or baseboard. Both are ridiculously noisy and I hate them. I also want a gas stove. Again, most homes here have electric, so the next house we're putting in gas if it's not already there!