Your “Must-Have” Home List

Daydreaming About Your Next Home? Know What You WANT vs. What You NEED

If you are in the market to buy a home, you probably have a list of things that you’d LOVE to have in your new home.  It’s  fun to fantasize about the cool things you see on HGTV or Pinterest, however, it’s important to get specific and know what you’re looking for and what you can afford when you start your home search.

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen in order to be happy in your next home? Do you need an open floor plan?  Are hardwood floors a must-have? Could the ‘man cave’ or ‘she shed’ be a future renovation project instead of a make-or-break right now?

The first step in your home buying process is to speak with a lender and get pre-approved for your mortgage.  Your lender will let you know your maximum price point before you fall in love with a home that your can’t afford.

The next step is to list all the features of a home that you would like, and to qualify them as follows:

• ‘Must Haves’ –  If the home doesn’t have thees features, it shouldn’t be considered. (for example: distance from work or family, number of bedrooms/bathrooms)
• ‘Should Haves’ – If the property hits all of the ‘must haves’ and some of the ‘should haves,’ it stays in contention.
• ‘Wish List’ – If you find a property in your budget that has all of the ‘must haves,’ most of the ‘should haves’ and ANY of these, it’s the winner!

Real Estate Bottom Line

Putting this list together before looking at homes will save you time and frustration.  It also helps me help you better!