Finding a new home can be overwhelming. It can be hard to choose one you’re truly interested in without looking at dozens of properties. One way to narrow down your search is to create a home-buying wish list.
Buying with a Partner
If you’re buying a new home with a partner, chances are you won’t agree on everything. It’s a good idea for both of you to create your own wish list and then compare them when you’re through. You’ll likely find some things you agree on, and you can then try to work through the items you don’t agree on.
Price and Location
Before you start looking, it’s a good idea to know what you can afford. One way to do this is by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. After doing so, you need to think about where you would like to live. Do you need to be close to work? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Would you like to have a park or shopping center nearby? Make a list of areas where you might consider property so your realtor can focus on homes in these locations that are within your price range.
Structure and Size
The next thing to think about is the type of home you prefer. Most people have a mental picture of their dream home in mind and are drawn to houses that are similar in construction. Think about the type of siding you prefer and whether you would like a one or two-story home. If you simply must have amenities such as an ocean view, write these down on your wish list as well. Decide what size home you need to include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and then make sure you record this information as well.
Interior Features
You no doubt have a few interior features in mind for your new residence. Think about the things you are interested in and decide which ones are most important. For example, having a certain type of heating system might be more important to you than having a particular style of kitchen cabinets. When it comes to interior features, make a list of must-haves and a list of “like to have” items so you can compare them with your partner. Be sure to list the most important item at the top of each list; you may also want to rate it on a scale of one to ten in order of importance.
Exterior Features
Some of the exterior features you might want to put on your wish list include the type and size of yard. You might also want to consider things such as fencing, driveways, storage buildings, and landscaping. As with interior features, you’ll want to place these items in order of priority, and then compare them to your partner’s list.
Miscellaneous Items
Some of your wants may not fit into any other category, so you should write these at the bottom of your wish list. A few things you might want to consider are the home’s architecture, amount of parking, and access to public transportation.
Building a wish list can be a fun part of the home-buying process. It can also allow you to find the home of your dreams quickly and easily because you will already know what you are interested in.
