Before you begin your home search it is important to become organized and decide what type of property best suits your needs, what features you must have and what features would be nice to have. Even more importantly, if you are purchasing a home with someone else, make a list together so everyone’s wants and needs are clearly defined. To evaluate what is important and essential for your next home, ask yourself these questions and make two lists “Must Haves” and “Would Be Nice to Have.”

• Type of Property (ex: single family, multi-family or condo/town home)
• Style of Property (ex: new or existing construction, modern or older, etc.)
• Preferred Style (ex: 1 or 2 story, ranch, split entry, etc.)
• Number bedrooms and bathrooms
• Approximate square footage
• Kitchen (ex: open to living, galley, gourmet, etc.)
• Additional Space (ex: home office, formal living/dining areas, game room, media room, outdoor living space, etc.)
• Additional Features (fireplace, hardwoods, ceramic tile, limited carpet, master bedroom up/downstairs etc)
• Parking (ex: garage, no garage, attached, detached, number of spaces, etc.)
• Neighborhood Requirements (ex: close to parks, recreation, shopping, schools, job, etc.)
• Transportation Needs (ex: close to major highways, near bus stop, walking distance, etc.)
• Outdoor Space (view, yard, balcony, deck, lot size, space for pets, etc.)
• Condition of the house (ex: fixer-upper or move-in condition)

If you are looking for Fixer-Upper, what extent of renovation are you willing to handle? Painting? Flooring? or a major remodel?

If you are looking for Move-In Condition, what does this mean to you? What aspects need to be essential in a home for you to live with?