Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
When searching for a property to buy, it’s important to have a pretty clear idea of what you’re looking for. One helpful approach is to separate your “needs” from your “wants.” Begin by determining your “must-haves,” your “like-to-haves,” and then any bonus items. Often, they fall into categories such as:
- price range
- number and location of bedrooms and bathrooms
- square footage
- style (e.g., ranch, colonial, split level)
- features
- lot size and shape
- location
- type of neighborhood
Then, prioritize the top five must-haves. What few must-haves might be sixth and seventh? Are they really “must-haves,” “like-to-haves” or bonuses? Finally, if you could throw in one more desire, what would that be? Write down your prioritized list and take it with you to each showing. It will also be helpful to score each property you view to assess how close it is to meeting your prioritized list. The scoring may be as simple as checking off each feature that each property has and tallying up how many come close. A sample Home Feature Prioritization worksheet can be found here for you to print and use.
It’s also important to remember that finding a home that meets every item on your list is rare. However, you’ll be better equipped to make the right decision by analyzing your list and prioritizing your needs and wants when choosing a property.
WHAT BUYERS WANT
According to the National Association of Home Buyers and Realtor.com, here are the top 10 things buyers are looking for these days. Perhaps some of these are on your list as well!
- Main Floor Laundry
- Storage, storage, storage!
- Outdoor Entertaining
– Exterior Lighting
– Patio
– Porch/Deck - Energy Efficiency
- Kitchen Updates
– Walk-in Pantry
– Granite Counters
– 42” Cabinets - Open Floor Plan
- Hardwood Floor
- Home Office or Bonus Room
- Central Air Conditioning
- Smart Home Features
– Security Camera
– Programmable Thermostat
– Video Doorbell
Here are some additional tips to help you find the right home:
- Work with a reputable real estate agent with extensive local market knowledge who can help guide you through the process.
- Research and get familiar with the neighborhoods you’re interested in. Then visit them on different days of the week and at different times to get a sense of what it’s like to live there.
- Consider the long term. Think about how the property will suit your needs not just now but also in the future.
Make sure that you are receiving homes that match your search criteria by signing up for Automated Property Alerts on my website. Simply email or call me, and I will create a property alert just for you!