One of the most fun parts about buying a home is daydreaming about how you’ll live in a variety of places.
In reality, trimming your wishlist is going to be important. But before you can decide what you’re willing to compromise on, it’s also important to get as many of your wishes listed as possible … you never know where some brainstorming might take you.
We’ve worked with clients who prioritized a soundproof-able space because of band practice and clients who wanted a beautiful garden more than anything else. What matters is what’s important to you.
Here are some starting points.
Think about your current home.
- What do you love most about it?
- What would you change first if money were no object?
- What’s your favorite room? What do you like about it?
- What’s your least favorite? Why?
- Do you have enough space? Is there such a thing as too much space?
- Do you like the layout? Why?
- Do you like the number of levels?
- What are your thoughts on the windows? Do you have enough natural light? Too much sun in the morning?
- Do you like the finishes? What would you prefer?
- What space do you use every day?
- What space do you ignore or let things pile up in?
- What are you missing?
- If you have an outdoor space, what do you like about it? If not, are there outdoor things you miss?
Think about your lifestyle.
- What room do you spend most time in? What’s important about it?
- How many bedrooms do you really need? Bathrooms?
- How many people do you want in your kitchen while you’re cooking?
- Do you enjoy taking care of a yard?
- Do you need a lot of storage space?
- Do you need space for hobbies?
- Do you need space for work?
- Are you willing to park somewhere other than a garage?
- Do you take baths? Would you be OK without a tub?
- What appliances matter most to you?
- Would you use a dedicated dining room?
- How do you like to entertain?
Think about your ideal location.
- How close do you want to be to your neighbors?
- How often would you visit a nearby park?
- Do you mind driving to get groceries and do other errands?
- Do you need to be close to public transportation? Is there a particular route you need easy access to?
- What kinds of noises bother you? Which ones don’t?
- How would you feel if your street didn’t have sidewalks?
- If you commute to work, what’s the maximum time you’re willing to spend?
- Where do you go most on weekends? How close do you want to be to that area?
- Is it important to be near freeways or other access points?
- What would you love to see out the window? What would you not love to see?
Start to weigh tough choices.
If you had to compromise, would you rather have:
- One less bedroom than ideal or a very small kitchen?
- Only one bathroom or no laundry room?
- No garage or no space for a garden?
- No guest room or no home office?
- Low ceilings or no back yard?
Add your own questions!
Remember that perfection isn’t the goal when you’re choosing a home to buy. Many, many things can be changed!
Ready to start your search?