Buying A House: Must Haves & Deal Breakers?

[RACooper]

Must Haves:
- Semi-modern Kitchen and Master Bath (or at least updated within the last dozen years or so)
- Storm/Energy efficient windows
- Up to date Electrical
- Storage

Deal Breakers:
- Out-dated or bad electrical
- Out-dated or bad plumbing
- Structural issues (foundation, roof, etc.)
- Mold
- Electric heating only

Now all that being said one thing I'd always consider is potential, if there are some issues and such but they are something I can deal with in the 5 years after purchase then those things aren't as bad - basically being able to look at the "bare bones" of the house and evaluate it's current "amenities" (afterall some crappy houses can be dressed up and full of luxuries).

So basics for increasing "purchasablity" while being inexpensive?
- Neutral tone pait jobs in primary areas
- New electrical covers and switches
- A really good cleaning of any tile work
- A really good cleaning of any rugs
- "Clearing" the house out, which basically means reducing the clutter and/or junk stored in the house (pack'em up and toss'em in storage somewhere)
- Any other cheap cosmetic changes to 'hardware'

Basically you want to give both the impression of a well cared for and maintained house, while creating an enviroment that makes it easier for the buyers to invisage themselves there (some people lack imagination so distracting colours and personal knick-knacks can be off-setting).