how important is the physical house?

The house really doesn’t matter. Of course it’s nice if the house is nice, but that’s about it, and it was pretty low on my list of priorities. And what qualifies as a good house to one person might be different for another. For example, AOPi had one of my favorite houses because of the lofted beds, the singles, and the general decor. Whereas other PNMs loved Gamma Phi’s house because it was so close to campus. And others loved Pi Phi’s because it was huge and pretty on the outside and inside.

Sisterhood is probably most important. In some sororities you don’t even have to live-in, or only have to live in one year

it is important if you want to live in... and considering its a dorm or your sorority house, it is VERY important! ASK QUESTIONS if you care about these things: room sizes (some have 30 girls sleep in a dormer style room and have your belongings in a separate room), parking, air conditioning, meal plan, the list goes on and on!

Nothing replaces sisterhood, the integrity of the chapter and the friendships. A nice house with history is a plus. Some houses are seriously upping their game.