A home shopper’s must haves and wish lists

Shopping for a home is an exciting adventure and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of dazzling for-sale homes and all of their fabulous amenities.  This causes temporary blindness to the amenities that matter the most.  To keep yourself focused, take time to identify and organize what you’re really looking for in a home.  Create a thorough “must-have” and “wish” lists before you begin shopping.  You may want to also include a third list that details your dislikes. 

                To get yourself started ask yourself these questions:

  • Which items and features must your home have?
  • Which items and features would you like to have, but could live without?
  • What would your dream home include? And, what features or issues must you avoid?

For the must have list try and focus on the essentials hard-to change details.  For example if you need three bedrooms, if you need two bathrooms, if you need over a certain sq footage put that on the list.  Other examples are a home’s proximity to shopping, or its overall condition.  It may be a good idea to rank the list in order of importance.  Your “must-have” list can’t be too detailed because it aims to itemize the features that are most important to you and your family. 

Your “wish-list” is the flexible and fun list.  Wish lists are good for cosmetic features that would be great to have, but not essential.  Examples are hardwood floors, balconies, fresh paint, ect.  Since they are just wishes, this list can have no limits! 

Once you have created your lists, create a checklist to take with you during your home tours.  Besides helping you stay focused, it will provide and organized review of each house. 

Your lists will most likely change as you tour homes and see what the market really has to offer.  It’s most likely you won’t find a home with everything you need, however your efforts will be well worth it once you find the perfect house that includes just enough must haves, and even a few wishes.

Print a Home Shoppers Must-Have and Wish List by clicking here!

 

The Axfords,

Prudential Sterling Realty

604-931-8152

www.theAxfords.com