Homebuying 101: Determine a list of needs for now AND in the future!

Whether it’s the first time or the tenth time you’ve gone shopping for a new home, one crucial step that shouldn’t be missed is putting together a realistic list of features your new home should have.  The frustration of not having a clear picture of what you are shopping for can be easily avoided if you and your family take the extra time to decided on specifics before visiting houses up for sale.

Here are some of those things that you consider.

SIZE:

• How many bedrooms do you need?
• How many bathrooms do you need?
• Do you require space for a home office?
• What kind of parking facilities do you need/require?
• Do I want an eat-in kitchen?

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Do you want air conditioning? If so, what type?
• Do you want or need lots of storage?
• Do I want a fully landscaped yard?
• Do you have a hobby that requires a separate space?
• Is a fireplace a feature you want?
• Do you want a pool or the space to have one installed?
• Do you have family members with special needs?
• Do you want a home that has special features to save energy, enhance indoor air quality, and/or reduce environmental impact?
• Do you want a home with a separate apartment for rental income?

LIFESTYLE AND STAGES:

• Do I plan to have children?
• Do I plan to have more children?
• Do I have teenagers who will be moving away soon?
• Am I close to retirement?
• Do I have an older relative that might come to live with me?

These are some of the features you should decide before starting to shop for your dream home and most likely you have your own to add to the list. Once you’ve finished considering all these and determined what it is you are looking for it is time to start thinking about where you can find this home!  Check back tomorrow for some tips on picking the right neighbourhood for you and your family.