Zooming in on the specifics: where you want to live, and what is important to you when it comes to your new home?
Make a List
Before you set out on your search for the perfect house, it is important that you make a realistic shopping list which will refine your property search. Hunting for a home can be time-consuming enough as it is, but especially if you have not already determined your search parameters!
If there are two of you, or a whole family, it’s imperative to work together on your shopping list. Even if you and your spouse tend to like the same things, you may prefer different locations, have different commutes, and have different ideas on what comprises a ‘must-have’ when it comes to features like flooring and layout. Those differences can translate into some heavy-duty emotional baggage that should be dealt with before you drag it physically into the homes you visit.
Wants vs. Needs
Many home buyers make the mistake of misinterpreting a ‘want’ as a ‘need’. As a result, they often dismiss great homes and embrace less-than-suitable ones. Of course, you can have what you desire in your home – you just have to be able to differentiate between what you truly need and what you would like to have! Your budget might turn out to be the deciding factor between certain needs and wants, or these might be determined by location.
If you’re a couple, each of you can fill out your own chart or list of needs and wants. Next, compare notes to come up with a single list that you can use as you begin to evaluate homes. The goal is to find a house that includes all of your needs and as many of your wants as possible. Once you have a clearer view of what your house absolutely needs to have, picking the right home will be much easier.