I think my husband and I have achieved our dream home. Love the rural area, the views, the wildlife, and our newly built home. It is large for the two of us, but with his parents still in their own home at over 80 years of age, we prepared for having them live with us when they can no longer manage on their own in their current home. Eventually, the space on the main floor dedicated to his parents occupying it will be ideal for us to age in place ourselves when we can no longer manage the stairs to our master suite. I think one of our three children's families would probably want to sell up and move in with us at that point as they all love it here too. We'll see.

Why is there not a 17.53% option?

We have a small house and it was packed with years of accumulation of stuff. There was no decorating theme in the house, just mismatched colors & furniture & drapes. Junk & papers were crammed everywhere. Closets were overflowing. I was embarrassed to have anyone over. We couldn't entertain without hiding stuff & moving things around (it took days to rearrange everything & days to put everything back.) Every room looked shabby & tired. I dreaded coming home from vacation.

About six years ago, I decided that I wanted to live in a house I love. So I started with a bedroom, then another & another, then the main bathroom, and so on until I redid every room in the house over these past several years - cleaning, painting, refurbishing, decorating, buying new pieces of furniture & new drapes, having new flooring put in, etc.. Yesterday, I finished a month of deep cleaning & organizing in the garage - there is now a place for everything & everything is in its place. Yes!

In the beginning, there was so much to do that I had to put blinders on and focus on one small task at a time or I would've quit before I started. I've learned a lot & it's mostly been a fun ride & definitely worth it. I love my house now & I enjoy having people over. It's a sanctuary & a great place to rest, relax, work, have fun, and share good times with family & friends.

The last frontiers are the basement & attic. Oh, and the backyard needs some landscaping too. All in good time.

I love my neighborhood, but not my house. I would love to do a total renovation, but my husband and I aren't on the same page. sigh...

I'm not voting - I think I've made my house as comfortable and well decorated as I can, we love the property and we love our home but as houses go there is always something to do with upkeep. I see a ton of homes here that I like but without lifestyle changes or financial changes how realistic are some of these homes I like. I'm satisfied now and someday who knows I may want to downsize. I guess my dream home is less of a factor for me as a dream local. ...a warm beach area! Drop my house somewhere sandy with an ocean and I'm golden.

My dream home is one that is paid for! Lol!

We just finished a major kitchen reno that had been on the top of the list since we moved in 14 years ago. We also started replacing windows this year, a 3 year process. Once we redo the master bath next year, I think we're done and looking forward to retirement in a house that is perfect for us. Here's the kitchen, from gut to glorious.

I purchased the property last year, and planning to have it paid off in the next year or two before I start building. This is in snow/mountain country -- 400 inches a year! Views to two peaks and mile from a major ski area. I've spent the last year designing and redesigning, a little bit every day, which keeps me motivated. (Thank you Sketchup!!) Current iteration is shown below.

My sister built my first home. I brought stock plans based on the exterior look, then she and my brother re-designed them to my tastes and specifications. Sometimes, they tried to talk me out of things, but I was firm about my wishes. I made mistakes and was limited by budget, so the house was not at all perfect. Still, I loved driving up to that house! Now, due to a move, we have to a very vanilla builder grade "McMansion" with none of the custom charm and quirks of my first house. It irritates me a little that even my sister sees this house as an upgrade. But every time I add trim to a room, paint a wall, build cabinets or a headboard, I like it a bit more. Hopefully, with time and DIY projects, I will become more invested in it and it will come to mean as much to me as the home I left. Then it may be my dream home.

We have been living in our house for 40 years. I like the floor plan and wish I could pick the house up and move it to a different neighborhood. Mine has changed tremendously. Unfortunately we cannot afford to move, as I would like to go to a 55+ housing for an easier retirement. A cooler climate would be nice too.

Not even close! The 1930's farm house I live in is owned by my FIL and I'm not allowed to make any changes. The kitchen layout is horrible and I lose half of the space because the stove is perpendicular to the wall right in the center of the kitchen. The bedroom is tiny but it does have a small walk-in closet. I would love to change a few walls and create an open kitchen and a master bedroom suite...but I don't think it's ever going to happen. I do love living rural and would hate to move into a town or city, but I have dreams for this old house!

Building a house for myself is happening right now. The foundation has been laid and is being filled. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and I'm living the dream now. In my late 70s I realize I'm moving in a different direction that most people, but that's familiar to me as I've lived my life that way. It's my design with great help from a terrific designer; it'll be PNW contemporary. South facing up here in Washington state is important for afternoon sun.

I could easily sit on a comfy chair on the slope looking down at the construction and watch the workers and their progress. This joy and excitement will lengthen my life and certainly bring a fine quality to it.

50% I know how it might look and where I'd like to build it. Now just need the funds !

I rented for ten years before getting my first home, always dreaming up ways that I could improve the floor plan of every place I rented (over a dozen). Obviously my first home's interior got reconfigured substantially! The renovation helped, but unfortunately the home's siting wasn't great, so it was never perfect. I've been in this second home for over two decades. Its location and siting are close to perfect, but the home is now problematic because of stairs and my bad knees. So now I'm dreaming of new ways to extend and live on only one floor. Hubby isn't on board with this plan (so far), so I will have to keep dreaming for some time yet.

50%! We are working with a design/builder now on our dream house design! We have 15 acres of land on an island here in the PNW and can't wait to get started on island time from chaos of beautiful Seattle! The well should be in within a month...so exciting!

I have all the vision & ambition in the world. custom 700-800 sqft cottage -- but with now where to begin... #discouraded

When we first moved to Oregon, we had just closed on this house andI invited two coworkers over to see it before it was furnished. They walked through the house, opened the cupboards and closets as if they were on an open house, and picked the house apart. "Oh this is small, that is small, the backyard is small." They stayed for 10 minutes and then left and I sat on the steps and cried. That's when I first hated my home. I began focusing on the flaws and I couldn't wait to move. I thought we would only be here about five years.

In preparation for selling, we revamped the backyard by tearing out the railroad tie retaining walls and putting in cottage stones and pavers. That project changed my attitude about this house...which is now our home. The wood was temporary but the concrete felt and still feels permanent. My cottage garden nourishes my soul. I decided the house isn't small but I learned that people could be.

I have an 80s kitchen with wood and white Formica cupboards that others would find dated but in the gray Oregon winters, my kitchen is bright and happy and enables me to cook delicious meals that nourish our bodies. We changed our master bedroom into a pool room with decor that reflects our whimsy and humor and makes us laugh and nourishes our hearts. My husband closed in the back porch and created a little sunroom/reading nook for me. I call it the Taj Mahal. It was built out of love and I feel that love every time I enter that room.

My house is not granite and stainless, and it is not over 1500 sq. ft. My home is where I am the happiest. It is where I'm loved by my husband and graced with a 20-year-old kitty. It is my dream home because it is filled with love. And I am so thankful to be so blessed.

When focused on looking for the flaws in my home, you will find them. That is true with every house everywhere. Contentment is priceless. I choose to be content.

We're building, too, on an island in the PNW. Five wooded acres, and our dream home, which will be much more expensive than we had planned (of course), but totally worth it. It's heaven to be living here in the midst of so much beauty and involved in the community. I am blessed!

I wish I had... a winter garden to look from my bathtub/sauna and and yoga room, but thats just not realistic for me... LOL I´m thinking more of things like a fancy playground for my two cats, a windowfarm, a new beige couch L shaped, hammock hooks, curtains, and a few cool art pieces for my plain walls. I´m working on all that till next year. it´s been 10 months since I got my own 1st apartment =)

I bought a fixer upper after we had to sell the home that my husband and I worked on and made it the home that we were proud of it looked like Hawaii in our back yard. My husband did trick ceiling throughout our home it was the home I always dreamed of having. . When the economy dropped it took the home away and all of the dreams we had. I still have the dream of having a home that I could love again, but we only can do what we can afford to do with this mobile that we found as a fixer upper. It has taken 9 years so far and we have not gotten very far. One day I will have my dream home again.

I have wanted to move since day 1.....12 years ago...

The cottage is a mid-1960s kit home that was "built to be torn down." Location is great, we've picked a builder who is working on our dream design. We have a timetable, including tear down, rebuild, move, sell the current home, and wait for retirement.

Nice. I am so happy for you.

My husband and I purchased a huge hoarder home in December 2012. On moving day he died. . . I have spent every day since cleaning and rehabing the home.

We bought a second lot at the same time that had a beater manufactured home on it. I simply wanted to take it to the dump and clean up the lot.

But as it turned out I would lose the septic permit on the lot if I moved the trailer. So I put a newer double wide in it's place and went to work creating a rental to help pay for the main house. . . When I was nearing completion on the manufactured, I decided to put it up for rent. Turned out the main house was wanted far more than the manufactured. So now I am living in the manufactured which is only 900 ft, but has a new roof, new windows, solid core doors, luxury vinyl plank flooring, new open concept kitchen with huge island, all new appliances, new cedar siding, and decking, and I am cozy as a bug in a rug. The big house is paying the mortgage three times over. . . and the manufactured is free and clear. I plan to travel and use the manufactured when ever I darned well want to. . . . and it won't cost me a dime. Am I blessed or what. ?

I can't imagine the stress of moving AND losing your husband on the same day. You sound like an amazing woman!!

I am wondering when I will complete my dream house, It is a whole new project that I have started. It is really becoming expensive each other day, Due to choice of materials and equipment I sought to have in this dreamhouse

This may sound corny but from the moment I moved into our raised ranch 40 years ago, I was in love with it. Yes, we made some changes along the way and if our budget allows we would make a few more changes but I am content with my home. It fits me, I am the most comfortable here in this house surrounded by the people and items I love. Sure, it could have been larger when we had two children (but they are in there own house now), Sure, some of the rooms (the kitchen) could have been larger but I have learned to cook in a smaller kitchen and make it work for me. Yes, I would have loved a larger master with an en suite but we have two full bathrooms and now there is only the two of us. And yes, even at my age, I can look at beautiful homes and say perhaps if I had it all to do over again....it would have been this house or that house but I know that here is the house of my dreams, it is my home, it is where my family lived and lives. So I am content to enjoy this house until I can not longer enjoy it.

Nice

Husband and I unexpectedly moved in mid-May from a newer, luxury style condo w/o outdoor space to an older first floor condo in a neighboring town. Our new home on Cape Cod has a small deck, beautiful planted grounds, and is in the middle of our small town. How fortunate we feel to finally be content (and enjoying our home, life, and each other).

Lovely, betd

It took almost ten years to build, but this is certainly my drem house. It is located in Tepoztlan, a small town in central Mexico.

Dreaming is sometimes more fun than having it all come together, so it's good to see so many people here on houzz (who obviously think about home design) feeling so happy with their homes. Sometimes all it takes is a little paint or a piece of art or furniture to change our feelings for a place. I know those kinds of little projects keep me happy.

I have a house built in 1958. Needs alot of updating. The major updating is done, kitchen and bathrooms. However, my dream is to tally renovate the basement into a rentable suite. Not sure I will get that far. Before then, still have two bedrooms and an office to do.

Having moved into our custom-built house nearly two years ago, we're now 100% in our dream home. This is also our final home in that my wife & I plan to retire and spend our days here after our kids grow up and take off to find places of their own. To help us age in place, we located both the laundry room and master bedroom on the main floor, with a large walk-in shower in the master bath. We can enjoy great views of the lake and mountains from the covered deck that's right off the kitchen and dining area. Surrounded by souvenirs and mementos of our travels and adventures, and by walls that soak up the laughter of our kids each day, my wife & I can't imagine living anywhere else!

I am living in my dream home now! The dream was to find exactly the right home and renovate! We surpassed our dream in what we found and now we are renovating! The dream is living the journey and the journey has begun!

My husband has owned the 3/2, 2000 sq ft ranch we now live in since it was built 40 years ago, and I've lived here 27. It is very nice and I am grateful to live here, but it has never been my dream home. We have renovated several times but there is no way to make the floor plan and 1/4 acre city lot into my dream home, which has always been a "cracker style" country home with room for gardens, animals, and privacy. My dream is about 60% there - we bought 15 acres of very rural property last year, and this year began building a 3,000 sq ft farm house with deep porches front and back, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a large country kitchen with an attached pantry/laundry/mud room - everything I have always wanted. We made sure to incorporate ADA compliant features like a "roll in" shower in the master bath, 3' doorways, etc. so we can "age in place". We are also building a 20 X 40 barn with electric and plumbing. We plan to have dairy goats and make goat cheese, yogurt, and soap. As of yesterday the stem wall foundation of the house is up, and the barn's frame and roof trusses are up. The well has been sunk, and an 800' gravel roadway and bridge over the creek has been built. Houzz has helped me start narrowing down ideas for cabinets, tile, colors, window treatments, etc. My husband is retired and I am retiring at the end of the year. Our friends and family think we are nuts to be setting up a working farm in retirement when we have no farming experience - we are excited knowing we have so much to learn and keep us busy! They think we are nuts for building a home larger than the one we are in - we are looking forward to having the kids and grand-kids visit and everyone have their own space! They tell us we are foolish for spending so much $ to develop this property when we have a paid-for house (we will sell our current home, but when everything is done the farm will have cost us twice what our current home is worth) - we believe we are just reallocating assets. We both can't wait to see what the future will bring on our dream farm!

Have two good-sized balconies that I could make fabulous but have to save up to do what I really want. Moved in a year and half ago and can say that everywhere I go and look, I'm pleased. A few finishing touches and upgrades inside will come in time, but, when we come home from wherever, it's feels really great. It's small (100sqm) but it's elegant and comfortable.

I admittedly define dream home differently than most.

That being said, I'd say my dream home has been 100% done for 35 years.

At that time, a year before we got married, we walked half a mile down the road and saw it. A 1915 built house (100 this year!!!!!), livable but needing work.

My dream home is one that let us add our own touches, with good bones.

We've been working on it ever since. To us, a house is not something you have, it's something you do.

We need to finish update our kitchen and finish our 2nd family room

wanna add a book nook to toddlers room, update entryway, dry wall toddlers room, and deck out the attic into a rec room with pool table, hockey table, flat screen and bean bags for video games for the hubby and the rest of the 5 kids we plan on having haha that is after we get the bats out....haven't moved in there yet though, will b next month. can't wait to get out of 2 bedroom townhouse and into the 3 bedroom country home. yayyy

If we had water of some sort...creek, pond, lake...our 21acres w/woodlands, prairie, kettles & moraines would be 100%!!

I have had my dream home several times, and I always fix up my houses to function well and look good. Next year I will sell this one and build my last one (I want to quit building at 80yrs old.

I love my neighborhood, a canyon that opens to the ocean, and my house has vastly appreciated in value in the years I've lived here. There are aspects of the house I like, especially the location,. It has been great for my bottom line because I bought relatively affordably in a very high end neighborhood, but it is certainly not my dream home despite my upgrading finishes and so forth to make it more appealing and comfortable

.

Working on plans right now for our Great Lake front B&B, final home.

I have the land and the plan is already drawn and approved. whereever that falls I guess

I'd say 90% in our current home. It's pretty dreamy. The only thing I'd really love to switch out inside our home is the main accent paint colour. It's too yellow and I don't like yellow (except one shade of primary yellow rain-coat yellow...) We have 20' ceilings in a large portion of our home. That equates to large paint bills, lol. I'm able to live with it for a few more years--2 is my target. There is also a small issue with the pantry and kitchen, but it's easily tweaked by a retro-fit to increase the shelving. (What male genius designed a pantry with a 20' ceiling and 3 shelves??? Am I supposed to just fly to the heavens and not use that space for food? Weird design flaw...)

As for the outside? 90% there as well. A few more tweaks and then that's enough.

Now, if the opportunity to have an acreage came up? I'd love to build from scratch and tweak our current plan a bit here and there. And have some animals. And we'd add in a lap pool. Or at least I'd like one. But by that time we will only want one level most likely. And I don't necessarily want another in-ground basement home. I'm getting tired of stairs everwhere--just a bit anyway.

I don't get what " Dream Home " means. It changes over time doesn't it? When I was twelve it would have had fifty rooms for my fifty children. At twenty it would have been a safe home for me and my daughter. At thirty it would have been a private place where I could rest and heal. At forty a tiny house on wheels to run away. I don't need or want a dream home. I want a good , safe, comfortable home where I can live in relative ease. Where my Mother can age without having to worry. A place I can host friends and feed neighbors . Somewhere to launch from on adventures and come back to when I need to rest. If that's a dream home I guess I'm good. :)

I moved into my dream house last year! I am about halfway there to getting everything done that I want done. It will take me several more months to finish painting the rooms that need painted, make new drapes for the living room and dining room, and make throw pillows for the living room and family room. It's a work in progress!

I voted 90%. What needs to be done to the house we bought two years ago, moved into 18mo ago (having had it painted and all new flooring except where tiled), and emptied and sold the old house 12 mo ago... is finding places for things. We are still not all settled! Obviously we need to further purge, but life gets in the way! The bones are SO good; we need to power through and get it in photo-taking shape.