Home Buying Considerations

How Will You Recognize Your New Home?

No one knows more about your new home than you do! With so many options, the Property Search and Home Buyer Process can be very difficult and confusing. There are so many things to consider it can be hard to know where to start. Part of our job is to help stimulate your thinking and to encourage you to clarify your home buyer needs and desires.

Once you are clear about what you are seeking, you'll be able to make even better use of the tools and information Resources we provide. Of course, we will be there every step of the way with you. We will work together with you as a team to help you find the home that best meets your specific requirements.

Four categories of home buying considerations are outlined below. Each category lists examples of some of the things you may want to think about when searching for your new home. It is up to you to determine which ones are needs and which ones are desires and to set some sort of priority among them.

Some of the items listed may be more important to you and others may not. You'll probably want to add some of your own. Reviewing the lists and discussing it with your friends and family will help you begin to visualize your new home.

With a clear vision of your new home, you are sure to recognize it when you see it!

How Do I Use the List?

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1) Home Considerations

Here is a partial list of considerations about your new home. Try to make note of the things that are really important to you. You can add to the list if you feel that something is missing.
What style of house would you prefer? Single Family? Condo? Ranch?
What price range are you considering?
How much down payment do you have to work with?
How many bedrooms do you need?
How many bathrooms do you need?
Is there a particular size of home you are looking for?
Is a garage important to you? If so, what size?
Is a separate dining room important?
Is there a particular floor plan you would prefer?
Do you like to have a basement?
How important is Green design?
Are you concerned about energy efficiency?
Would you prefer efficient water systems?
Would you like to have a patio or deck?
Are you looking for a pool or hot tub?
Do you need a fenced yard?
Does your home and property need to be pet friendly?
Would you like to have a fireplace?

2) Neighborhood Considerations

The following is a list of questions to help you think about what's important to you about the neighborhood:
What is the general condition of other homes in the neighborhood?
Is there a homeowners association? If so, what are the dues?
What is traffic like? Are there stop signs or stop lights nearby?
Are there sidewalks in the neighborhood?
Is there a feeling of safety in the area?
Are there any pet restrictions?
Is on-street parking allowed? Are many cars parked on the street?
Are there any zoning or neighborhood covenant restrictions?
Where are the nearest fire and police stations?
What are prices like of other homes in the area?
Are schools important to you? If so, what type?
What is the general age and condition of the schools?
What is the reputation of the schools and the school district?
How do the schools rank among others within the region?

Using the above list as a starting point, write down all the things about the neighborhood that you feel are important to you.

3) Home Location and Proximity to Amenities

There are many things to consider with regard to location. Use this list to help you begin to think about what's most important to you.
What is the distance from your place of employment?
What route would you drive to work?
What is the maximum commute time you are willing to accept?
How far is it to the nearest shopping center and supermarket?
How far are the nearest schools, colleges and universities?
What is the nearest hospital and medical center?
Where are the nearest public parks?
Are there hiking and bike lanes nearby?
How far to the nearest restaurants and specialty shops
What are some of the nearby churches and worship centers?
How far to the nearest bus stop, bus station and airport
What are the nearest major roads and highways?

Add to the list anything else that's important to you about location and proximity to amenities.

4) Personal Considerations

There are many personal considerations that relate to how you would like to experience living in your new home. We are all different in this regard. Use the list below to help you think about the things related to your lifestyle and day-to-day living that are important to you.
Can you imagine what it may feel like to wake up in your new home?
What would it be like to have dinner with your partner or family?
What would it be like to celebrate holidays and special occasions?
How will the design and layout accommodate your daily routine?
How would you feel about entertaining guests?
Do you think you would feel welcome and safe in the neighborhood?
How do you see yourself fitting in to the community?

Of course, all of these things are very subjective. Nonetheless, they can be important factors influencing your personal experience of your new home and neighborhood.

Extra: Home Buying Needs and Desires

How to Know the Difference?

Needs are essential to your preferred lifestyle and generally include such things as the price, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, size, garage and basement. Other needs could include the proximity to schools, shopping centers and places of employment.

Desires, by comparison, usually include amenities such as fireplace, sunroom, patio or even a breakfast bar. Other desires may include proximity to recreation such as a golf course or community park. Desires are the nice ‘extras’ providing an added sense of comfort and enjoyment beyond your basic needs.

Of course, desires for one may be a need for another and vice versa. There is no right or wrong way about it. The important thing is simply to know the difference between the two. When you can clearly distinguish between your home buying needs and desires you’ll be able to make better more confident home buying decisions.