I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you should know, there is no perfect house. Are there things I wish were different about my house? You bet. The two favorite things about my house; the location and the natural light (thanks to all our sunny days here in CO). I am a firm believer in location, location, location.
What is important to you? What do you need in a house? Buyers often times tell me they need a minimum number of bedrooms and baths, a garage, a fireplace, etc. That is a great place to start but a list of your needs and wants can help keep you on track as we start to look at the possibilities.
Let’s break it down:
Needs: These are must haves. Things that are required of the new home you are considering.
Examples:
- Ranch home for an elderly couple
- 2 car garage for a home hobbyist
- Office space for someone who works from home
- Location – i.e.: close to public transportation if that is how you get around
Wants: These are items you would like to have in a home, but are not a requirement. This list can go on and on and on. Make sure you prioritize this list so that you don’t miss out on a home just because it doesn’t have wood floors for example (you could always change that later). Think about the things you can’t change, like floor plan and location.
- Fireplace
- Corner Lot
- ¼ + acre
- New Windows
- Traditional 2 story home
There is a fine line between wants and needs. One that is often blurred (and rightfully so). If you are looking with a significant other it is especially important to take the time to talk about this before you start looking, so that you know what the other person is thinking.
A home is a very personal thing. Let’s go find that almost perfect home!