When it comes to buying a new home, most people already know what they want. Whether it's an attached garage, several bedrooms, a large kitchen or a beautiful view, you deserve to get your dream home. Your budget and financial situation will determine just how much house you can afford, and it can be difficult separating the house that you want from the house that you need.
One of the easiest ways in determining your wants from your needs is to make a list. The categories below are items that should be included on your list. Recording each category is important as it will help you narrow down what you are looking for. To do this, write down either "need", "want" or "doesn't matter” beside each item (or N, W, DM). Be sure to do this for every single item (you may surprise yourself!)
1. Housing Type
While many people immediately think of an estate home as their dream home, it's important to remember that other kinds of housing can make for a wonderful place to live. While duplexes, townhomes and condominiums may lack more space on the outside, you can often get more "house" for less money with these types of buildings. There are plenty of options to consider when it comes to the layout of your dream home:
- Detached Home
- Semi-Detached Home
- Duplex
- Townhome
- Condominium/Apartment
- New Building
- Existing Building (and maximum age)
2. Size
When it comes to living space, size most definitely matters. On your list, be sure to consider not just the total amount of interior space but also how big and how many different types of rooms and floors you need or want in your dream home. In this category, be sure to consider the following:
- Total Square Footage
- Number of Bedrooms
- Number of Bathrooms
- Number of Floors
- Space for a Home Office
- Parking Facilities - how many cars?
- Garden
3. Location
Every real estate agent will tell you how important location is. Add these categories to your checklist of wants and needs, measuring how far away each item is not just in kilometers but in transit time by car, on foot or by public transportation:
- City Centre
- Suburbs
- Commuter Town
- Rural/Countryside
- Quiet Street
- Cul-de-sac
4. Access
Proximity to things you need and enjoy are important as well. Add the following to your three columns and consider how easy it will be to access the following from your dream home:
- Schools
- Job(s)
- Hospital/Medical Facilities
- Parks/Recreational Areas
- Grocery Store
- Shopping Centres
- Airport
- Highways
- Social Activities
- Family Members and Friends
- Public Transportation
5. Special Features
Every home is different and comes with its own unique layout and design. Beyond considering the basic square footage and number of bedrooms, be sure to add the following items to your want/need list:
- Air Conditioning
- Energy Efficiency
- Green Appliances/Design
- Fireplace
- Swimming Pool
- Driveway
- Garage
- Carport
- Air Filter/Allergy Reduction Technology
- Skylight
- Outdoor Shed/Outbuilding
- Garden/Yard
- Solar/Green Energy
- In-Ground Sprinkler System
- Security System
- Fence
- Landscaping
6. Exterior Features
The outside of your home is important too and makes a difference about how welcoming and "yours" the house will feel. The type of exterior also will have an impact in terms of the amount of time and costs required for long-term maintenance. Add these items to your want/need list:
- Vinyl Siding
- Aluminium Siding
- Brick
- Wood
- Stucco
- Brick and Siding Together
- Other
7. Basic Design
Homes come with all kinds of designs. Think about how you and your family will be using the space. Add the following categories to your want/need list and decide how important they are to you for the enjoyment of your future home:
- Ground Floor Bathroom
- Separate Dining Room
- Separate Family Room
- Spare Room/Den
- Storage Room/Area
- Eat-In Kitchen
- Basement (either finished or not)
- Attic
- Deck/Patio/Balcony
- Guest Room
- Mud Room
- Laundry room
8. Utilities
They may not be glamorous but they're essential to the quality of life in your new home. In many cases, there's little choice in the matter when it comes to utilities but they are important to consider both in terms of costs as well as maintenance or convenience.
- Water - municipal or well?
- Water Heating - gas, electric or oil?
- Sewer System - municipal or septic?
9. Community
Your neighbourhood is an important consideration when choosing a new home. How important are certain aspects of what's nearby to your dream home?
- Other Families
- Homeowner's Association
- Parks
- Walking Trails and Sidewalks
- Pond/Lake
- Golf Course
- Basketball Court
- Swimming Pool
- Playgrounds
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Theatres
- Tennis Court
- Fitness Centre/Gym
Armed with your list, compare all of the houses you see that are within your budget against your “needs” and “wants”. You will be able to see which houses satisfy your minimum requirements and fit your budget and lifestyle. From there, if you have extra room in your budget, you can focus on homes that include a few of your wants (or all if you’re lucky!) This is an especially easy process if you are looking at new home builds as they can be custom tailored to fit your requirements.
Remember: the more detailed your list the more likely you’ll be able to zero in on your ideal home; be sure to add anything and everything you can think of.
