Shopping for a home is an exciting adventure! With all the excitement, clear decision-making can become murky and lead to a decision you might regret.
Coming back to the ABCs, your wants and needs will lead you to the right home in this competitive market. The key is you don’t have to have everything to have it all. Here is an exercise to keep you aligned with your goals prior to your home buying journey.
Create your list. Make a list of everything you could possibly want in your home. Big or small. Long or short.
Order of importance. Next, force yourself to rate each of these facets on your list in numerical order. Ideally, limit these to your top 10.
Divvy it up. There should be two types of items on your list, those that must have, and those you would like to have.
Must Have. Anything that includes number of bedrooms, windows, open floor plan, dedicated space, are the staples that can’t change without a major investment. These are the items that take priority in your search for a home to avoid costly renovations.
Like to have. Subway tile, shiplap, paint colors, lighting … these things can be easily upgraded or changed to suit your style. Remove these items entirely from your list.
Prisoner’s dilemma. This might sound harsh, but it is the last, and final step in getting very clear with your wants and needs moving forward. What can you absolutely not live without? I know it’s hard, but do another forced reranking of these must-haves.
Trust your list. Excellent job! You’ve done the prep work. Now, remember to trust yourselves. Share this list with your realtor so they can better assist you in finding your perfect match. After putting your list together you’ll know exactly when you’ve met the one.
By R. Jones
