Beginning the Search
You’re searching homes for sale listings and hoping to find the perfect one – the one that will feel like “home” the moment you walk in. But it isn’t easy.
MLS listings give the bare minimum - not enough information to let you know if the house in the picture will suit your family. Homes magazines and newspaper ads are the same, as are most home tours. That means you’ll need to rely on your agent to weed through the offerings and guide you to homes that will meet your needs and desires.
Make it easy for both of you - write it down.
This is the time to sit down with pen and paper… and the other people involved with your decision… and make a list.
Think of everything that matters about your new home. Write down all your wants and needs. You’ll need to include the number of bedrooms and baths, of course, but there’s much more to consider.
Begin with location. Do you want your new home to be near schools or shopping or work or places of worship? Do you want privacy or will you be happier near a major highway? How close should you be to neighbors? Does it matter if you have a view? And if so, do you wish to view city lights or wildlife?
Then there’s the property. Do you want a small yard for easy care or a large space for gardening and landscaping? Do you need room for dogs to romp or do you have a horse that needs some pasture?
What about the house itself? Consider your and the people who will share your home. What special rooms are necessary? Do you need an office, an exercise room, a separate TV room for the kids, a crafts room, or maybe an attached greenhouse?
Do you have large furniture that calls for spacious rooms? Do you need open spaces for entertaining, or are you more comfortable with a small and cozy living area? Do you want everything on one level or do you long for a basement or a second story? Should your house have an attic for storage? Do you need a garage? If so, should it have room for a work bench or separate shop area? List everything that matters to you and to the others who will share your home.
Finally, because finding a home for sale that meets every want and need with no alterations is a rare occurrence, you need to choose your priorities.
Go over your list and consider everything. When you’re finished you should be able to hand your Realtor two lists. The first will show what you absolutely must have in your new home. The second is the “wish list” of amenities that would please you but aren’t set in stone.
You’ll save yourself and your Realtor hours – perhaps days - in your search for a home merely be eliminating homes for sale that don’t meet the criteria on the “must have” list. And with both of your lists in hand, your agent may be able to take you straight to the home of your dreams.
Click here to contact me if you have any questions.
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