Before You Start Looking for a House, Figure out What’s Really Important to You

When you begin your search for a new home, you might have a long wish list, or you might want to find a house that will impress your family and friends. Before you start looking at houses, take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. That will help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary stress.

Distinguish between Needs and Wants

Your dream house might not exist, or it might be way out of your price range. To avoid setting yourself up for disappointment, set clear priorities.

Make a list of everything that you consider important, then ask yourself if each item is something you need or something that would be nice to have. Create a list of non-negotiables – features or amenities that your future home absolutely must have – and another list of things that you would like, but don’t consider essential.

Focus on What Matters to You, Not Someone Else

You’re going to buy a house for you and your family. Don’t focus on what other people consider important. Think about your family, your priorities, and your lifestyle.

You might feel pressure to buy a large house to meet other people’s expectations. Family and friends with expensive homes might not be as well off as they appear to be. They might have bought houses they couldn’t afford to impress other people, and they might be struggling to make ends meet.

Don’t allow yourself to fall into that trap. Find a home that fits your budget.

Make Sure You and Your Partner Are on the Same Page

If you’re planning to buy a house with a spouse or partner, it’s essential to talk about priorities before you begin your search. All too often, couples assume that they’re on the same page, then realize that they have completely different priorities.

Start by creating your own lists of needs and wants, then share them with each other. Use those lists to guide your discussion.

You might argue about what’s important and what’s not. If you’re going to buy a house together, you’ll have to agree on priorities. Get that discussion/argument out of the way now.

Think about How Your Priorities Will Change

Don’t just think about what’s important to you today. Consider how your family and lifestyle might change and look for a house that will work for you in the future. For example, if you plan to have kids, you might decide to buy a home with more bedrooms than you currently need, an open floor plan, and a large backyard.

Choose the Right Location

Think about where you want to live. Location is a critical factor that you won’t be able to change.

You might be drawn to a specific neighborhood, or you might have broader goals. For instance, you might want a house that’s in a good school district, near parks or stores, close to relatives, or a relatively short distance from your workplace.

Help Your Agent Help You

Your real estate agent’s job is to help you find a house that fits your needs and budget. To do that, your agent must know what’s important to you. If you have a clear set of priorities, your agent will be able to zero in on houses that fit those criteria. That will save everybody time.

Keep Referring to Your List

Shopping for a new house is exciting. It’s easy to fall victim to shiny object syndrome. If you have a written list of priorities that you can refer to, you’ll be less likely to get distracted by features that are impressive, but not necessarily important.

Learn about the Homebuying Process

Figuring out what you want is just one step on the path to becoming a homeowner. You’ll also have to choose a real estate agent, get preapproved for a mortgage, have the house inspected, and sign a series of documents.

You can learn how all of that works in the First-Time Homebuyer Masterclass. If you educate yourself before you embark on your search for a new house, you’ll be able to minimize stress and avoid common mistakes. Enroll in the First-Time Homebuyer Masterclass today.

Please share this blog on social media and/or send it to someone you know who is thinking about buying a house this year.