What do you want in your next house? Envision your dream home. Does it have a property large enough for you to put your green thumb to use? A high-rise condo with all of the amenities you could dream of? Or a beautiful, high-end, modern kitchen?
Now, think about what you need in your next home. Does your list include an extra bedroom to accommodate your growing family? A property that is closer to your office for a shorter commute? Or perhaps you’re looking for a smaller house that requires less upkeep.
Differentiating your wants and needs is an important step in your house search. My job is to help you make sense of your wants versus your needs and help you find a house that fits your criteria.
I recommend that you think about your wants as a Wish List. And you should allow for some flexibility around these features. Are you willing to compromise if the property doesn’t have exactly what you want? Your NeedsList, on the other hand, is non-negotiable.
These are the features that will ultimately define your house search and eliminate any options that don’t meet your criteria.
When putting together your Needs List, it’s important to consider your current lifestyle and any lifestyle changes you foresee in the future. This includes:
• Amenities that are most important to you, such as schools, shopping, entertainment, recreation and transportation.
• Your commute times to work, school, friends or family.
• The size of the home you require, including the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms, room for a home office, and outdoor space if you have kids, pets or both.
• A property type that suits your lifestyle, needs and finances. Decide if you need a condo, townhouse, or single-family home.
What happens if I help you find a property that fits all of your needs but lacks some of your wants?
At first glance, many of the amenities on your Wish List may seem like a need, but often there are many ways to work around them.
We can consider whether there could be a budget for renovations or updates. Remember, cosmetic features like flooring, style of appliances or finishes can be easily changed or upgraded (even if you may have to wait a few years to finance bigger renovations).
I’m here to make the process easier! Together, we’ll come up with a must-have list that suits your lifestyle needs and considers some of your dream features.
