​Creating Your Home Wish List

Creating Your Home Wish List

Before the home search begins, your real estate agent will want to know as much as possible about the features and amenities you desire. To help your agent better serve you, analyze what you want and what you need in a home's features and amenities.

On a piece of paper, write about any of the following that are important to you.

Features:

• Location: Where should your new home be?
• Accessibility: Do you want one level living or zero entry?
• Age: Do you prefer historic properties, or newer ones?
• Style: Do you have a special preference for ranches, bungalows, or another style of construction?
• Bedrooms: How many?
• Bathrooms: How many? Are they updated?
• Living and Dining Areas: A traditional, formal layout, or a more open, contemporary plan?
• Stories: How many?
• Square feet: How much space?
• Ceilings: How high?
• Kitchen: How big? Recently updated? Open to other living areas?
• Storage: Big closets, a shed, an extra-large garage?
• Parking: A garage or carport? Room for how many cars?
• Extras: Attic or basement?

Amenities:

• Office
• Play/exercise room
• Security system
• Sprinkler system
• Workshop/Studio
• In-law suite
• Fireplace
• Pool
• Hot tub
• Sidewalk
• Wooded lot
• Patio, deck, or porch
• Laundry room

Now, divide your list into WANTS and NEEDS. Circle everything that is a NEED. Now star the top three items you can't live without. Tell them to your agent in order with starred items first, then circled items and so on. KEEP THIS PAPER for reference as your home search continues. If your priorities change, make notes on your paper.

You may also be interested in learning the Most Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make and other FAQs.