Organizing Your Wants, Needs and Nice-to-haves as a Homebuyer
When you begin your homebuying journey, it’s important to create a list of wants, needs and nice-to-have’s that are within your budget. This can help you stay prepared and focused when it comes to putting in a strong offer quickly in this hot market. But how to you go about creating this list?
The first step, before you even begin the homebuying process, is to get pre-approved for your mortgage. This helps you get a better understanding of your budget, which can help you narrow down your list. Once you have a good understanding of your budget, you can create the list of all of your features and details that are wants, needs and nice-to-have’s.
Needs: If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle (examples: distance from work or loved ones, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.).
Wants: These are features that you’d love to have but can live without for now. Wants aren’t deal breakers, but if you find a home that hits all the needs and some of the these, it’s a contender (examples: a second home office, 3-vehicle garage, etc.). These again can also be added on or renovated in the future.
Nice-to-Have’s: This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the Needs, most of the Wants, and any of these, it’s a clear winner (examples: farmhouse sink, multiple walk-in closets, etc.). These again can also be added on or renovated in the future.
Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss it with your Shorewest real estate professional! They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, coach you through the best way to stick to it, and find a home in your area that meets your needs.
Bottom Line
Crafting your home search checklist may seem like a small task, but it can save you time and money. It’s also one of the keys to being successful in today’s competitive market. Connect with a Shorewest real estate professional so you can work together to find a home that fits your wants and needs.
Tags: Homebuying Tips, House Wish List, Needs, Nice-to-Haves, real estate tips, Wants
Categories: First Time Home Buyers, Home Buying, How to, Real Estate Tips, Shorewest Tips
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