Buying a new home is an exciting process, but it can certainly seem overwhelming at times. The key to keeping it manageable is having a clear understanding of your home buyer’s wants and needs, and realistically differentiating between the two for your family.
The things you need are non-negotiable, which means they’re deal-breakers if a particular home doesn’t offer them. The more needs you identify, the easier it is to rule out homes and hone in on the perfect place; of course, classifying too many criteria as must-haves makes it increasingly difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. Balance is crucial.
If you find more than one home that satisfies your family’s needs, the decision will come down to which one also provides the most things you want. Obviously, these are things that you prefer to have, but aren’t deal-breakers when not present.
Here’s a look at some of the most common home buyer’s wants and needs to help you get your own checklist together:
Basic Home Features
- Home style (single-family home, condominium, townhome, etc.)
- Architecture style (bungalow, Cape Cod, colonial, contemporary, Craftsman, ranch, split-level, Tudor, Victorian, etc.)
- Minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Minimum square footage
- Extra rooms (dining room, home office, den, finished basement, etc.)
- Update priorities (kitchen, appliances, bathrooms, etc.)
- Storage space and closet needs
- Garage needs/how many vehicles
- Energy-efficient features
Basic Home Lot Features
- Acreage
- Yard layout
- Yard maintenance needs
- Landscaping
- Gardening possibilities
- Outdoor amenities (pool, patio, grill area, etc.)
- Fencing
- Home orientation
Neighborhood and Location
- Quality of schools in the zone
- Commute time to work
- Proximity to shopping, dining, gym, schools, after-school options, hospital, etc.
- Prevalence of families in the neighborhood
- Busyness of the street
- Pedestrian friendliness
- How close neighboring homes are
- Views
Associated Costs and Financial Considerations
- Property taxes
- Average utility bills
- HOA fees
- Priority upgrades or renovations
- Property value trajectory
- Area residential and commercial development