Determining your wants vs. needs when it comes to buying a house may be one of the hardest steps to prep for your purchase. It’s extremely easy to get caught up with all your wants and ultimately, loose site of the things that you truly need in a home, which in turn could cost you or even cause you to unexpectedly walk away from the perfect home without even realizing it.
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Checklists for Buying a House
While it could be different for each person, there are a few common things that should be considered, or discussed when it comes to making a want vs. need list, and a few questions to consider could be:
How close do you want to be to town, shops, grocery stores etc.?- Is an extra bedroom for a home office, gym, craft room, playroom, etc. a deal breaker? If so, how many bedrooms do you “need” and how many do you want?
- Are you ok with a fixer upper, or do you want turnkey?
- What type of neighborhood do you want? Urban, rural, suburban, city?
- Is the school district a deal breaker?
- Do you want a single or two-story home?
- What style of home would you prefer? Condo, townhome, single-family home, etc.?
- Do you want a garage? If so, can it be detached?
- Will you buy a home with an older roof?
- Do you want to be near easy freeway access?
- Is airport noise or train noise a dealbreaker?
- Do you want to be near bus stops?
- Do you want a fireplace, and if so, do you want gas, or wood burning?
- How large of a lot do you want?
- Does the yard need to be fully fenced?
- Does the home have to come with appliances, and if so, do they have to be a certain color, style or finish?
- How far are you willing to commute?
These are all example questions to ask yourself when it comes time to start your house hunting, and as easy as it seems to answer these questions, you’d be surprised at how easily you can sway from your decision or change your answers in the heat of the moment, which can unfortunately lead to buyer’s remorse later down the line.
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When making your wants vs. needs, try to write down your answers, or organize your wants in one column and needs in the other, by seeing your answers, or wants and needs visually, it can help you stay on track and ultimately, purchase a home that fits within your desired criteria. It is also important to communicate your wants and needs to your agent, ensuring that they respect your personal boundaries, and will show you homes that fall within your search preferences to help you secure the home of your dreams.
If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding New York Real Estate, please feel free to contact or office at any time.
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