A few more ideas

Hello there Bill!!!  

Here are a few more ideas about our home:  

Not entirely brand new, although upgrades are very nice

Lots of light and sunshine

Hardwood floors

High ceilings

Quirky touches

It shouldn't look like every other house on the block.  

We may have to make improvements on our own

Work Shed/space/garage for your tools and "man space"  

Space for animals

Cool neighbors and fun community

Great big water heater for great big baths

Room to grow tomatoes and flowers (did I already mention that?)

Curb appeal, i.e. the front isn't all garage

A beautiful oak tree on the property

Place to store our outdoor gear, bikes, camping stuff, etc.

-- In a community, meaning not a city, not out in the boondocks with no one around, but in a place that's relaxed, diverse, has a little bit of history

-- NOT a gated community

-- With a porch like the one we sat on in the New Orleans B&B - doesn't have to be the same architecture, but it should have a similar feeling - like a sanctuary.  

Here are a few photos of things that might appeal to you - let me know what you think:

This is my most favorite house in Sacramento.  Have never been inside of it, but I love that it's not a box; the architecture is very interesting and I like the Spanish/Art Deco style

I like the Old-world Spanish style of this porch and the grassy slabs make a nice and interesting front

I like the architectural arches and the view....well, that's an easy one.  

This is Judi in Africa's front porch with a view of the Zambezi river.  Look at the glass arches - they are gin bottles in the wall!!!