Finding a house is a big – and often overwhelming – task. It’s helpful to tackle it like you would any other big project, with a plan, a list and some patience.
The plan
Start by thinking about what you need from your home and what you want. The list is not always the same. If you’re buying with someone else, be sure to create the list together.
And approach this like a true brainstorm. There are no bad ideas. Some ideas will be more realistic than others, but an honest list will reveal your true priorities pretty clearly.
Good. Better. Best.
Once you have your list, organize it into three categories: good, better, best. This helps you establish a baseline – good – and decide what’s most important. Remember, this is your list. It will be your home so you get to decide what will matter most.
Good: The essentials
This list represents your broad category of home traits. It’s a general list and ideal for narrowing down your search. This list will also help you establish a baseline budget.
Include such things as:
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Appliances
- Ranch or multi-story
- Neighborhood and/or school district
Better: The wish list
Once you have the basics down, think about those nice-to-haves. It’s possible that once you visit Open Houses, some of these items may move up or down the list. They may include such things as:
- Open floor plan
- Downstairs bedroom
- Large, fenced-in backyard
- Multi-car garage
- Finished basement
Best: The dream scenario
This is your wow list. The items you may not need but would love to have; the items that make your home feel like it was tailor made for you. This will include such items as:
- High/vaulted ceilings
- Arched hallways
- Hardwood floors
- Mudroom
- Pool
- Move-in-ready paint or wallpaper
Once you have your list done, think about visiting Open Houses. They’re a great way to see your ideas up close. Often, homebuyers’ wants and needs shift a bit after they start visiting homes. (Learn more about how to make the most of your Open House visits here.)
Have questions? We’d love to help. Call one of our Loan Officers to chat about your needs today.
