So you'll have to compromise. You could decide to do without a family room. Or, you might look in a newer neighborhood where homes have family rooms. Then when you see a home that looks promising, weigh it against your list to see how closely it comes to fulfilling your housing needs. Don't decide for or against an exciting new listing if your only exposure to the property has been a viewing at a Sunday open house.
Open houses can be great exposure for listings.
But, it's difficult for buyers to carefully examine a listing when crowds of people are milling around. One couple almost made an offer on a new listing after seeing it once at an open house. Before making an offer, they asked their agent to take them back to the property for a second look. It was only during the second, private viewing that the property's defects came to light. Before you decide to buy, ask your agent if there's anything about the property that would make it difficult to resell in the future.