While buying any home is tough and complicated, buying the “right” home for your family is even tougher. There are many factors to consider — the house itself, the neighborhood, and the location. According to Fortune Builders, making a list of everything you need and want is a great step in the home-buying process; however, which aspects you prioritize largely depends on your specific situation.
Located on Lake Michigan’s western shore, Mequon is the third-largest city in Wisconsin. Real estate in the area is a hot commodity that is currently facing fierce competition between buyers. Because it is currently deep in a seller’s market, making a list of your wants and needs before touring homes for sale in Mequon, Wisconsin, is an absolute must.
Here are the best tips for organizing your list before buying a new home.
Why a list of your wants and needs is vital
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In hot real estate markets, you have little time to waste. If you fail to make a list of your wants and needs for the home you desire, you may risk wasting time touring houses that ultimately won’t work out. While a specific property may initially seem beautiful and perfect, unless you know exactly what you want and need, it could be a dud.
This list will save you time, better help you secure the house of your dreams, and save you from emotional duress. Getting emotionally attached to a home is a common occurrence during the home-buying process, and it’s very important because you want to envision yourself living in the house. However, if you fall in love with the wrong property, you may end up compromising aspects that you shouldn’t. Making your list beforehand can help ensure that you fall in love with the right house.
What do you need in a home?
Your needs in a home are your top priority, according to Investopedia. These aspects should not be compromised for anything else. Although the Mequon real estate market is filled with beautiful properties, you should determine exactly what you need in a home. Your needs can include everything from a minimum amount of square footage to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Your needs should also include the type of neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. For instance, if you have children, finding a neighborhood with many families should be high on your list. Additionally, location is important. Consider your commute times to nearby schools or your work.
Once you have a list of your needs, move on to your wants.
What do you want in a home?
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While these items aren’t as important as your needs, you should still heavily consider them when touring properties. For this step in the home-buying wish list, envision your dream house. What is it that makes the house such a dream?
Consider certain aspects such as the size of the backyard (if there is one). Also consider the kitchen size. If you love to cook or have a large family, add “big kitchen” to the list. Additionally, while many people include the number of rooms in a house in their list of needs, having an extra room could be considered a want. Maybe you want to turn it into a guest room or a home office in the future.
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Your wants may not be as crucial as your needs, but they are still important. After all, you want to love the house you buy so why settle for anything less?
Wants versus nice-to-haves
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This section of the list may seem confusing, but there really is a difference between wants and nice-to-haves. For instance, when touring Mequon homes for sale, if a certain aspect of a house stands out to you but not enough to push you towards making an offer, then consider it as a nice-to-have. These aspects are essentially bonuses.
Nice-to-haves can include things like a walk-in pantry, a jetted tub in the master bedroom, or vaulted ceilings. In many cases, these nice-to-have features are usually more cosmetic in nature; however, they can also include functionality. Take the walk-in pantry for instance. While you could easily get by with cupboards for grocery storage, having a walk-in pantry would keep cupboards from being overly full.
Essentially, these nice-to-have items should be low on your home-buying list.
How to prioritize your home buying wish list
As Business Insider advises, your needs in a property should always come first. These needs are aspects that cannot be compromised and should form the foundation of your new home search. Keep these items at the top of your list.
Your wants are next on the list. Don’t put your wants over your needs when touring homes for sale in Mequon. For example, while you may want an extended living room, you may need a four-bedroom home for your family. In that case, your focus should be on the number of bedrooms.
Your nice-to-have features are the lowest on the list so consider them to be a bonus. Most of these items could enrich your home life in some way, but they aren’t entirely necessary.
Need help with your home-buying wish list?
If you’re struggling to organize your home-buying wish list, talk to a Mequon real estate agent. A realtor can help you form the list based on your specific situation. And because agents have years of experience helping all types of families buy the “right” house, they will understand your needs and wants.
Is your wish list complete and you’re ready to tour Mequon homes? Contact Karine Sewart and her skilled agents at the Sewart Group today.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
