Selecting the Best Home for You

If you're in the market to find a home, like most buyers you start out with a price, style and features in mind. And like most buyers, you're in search of the perfect home. But does the perfect home always exist? Some times, but more often than not as you start looking you will have to make some compromises.

So where should you start?

1. It's very important to not compromise on the features you MUST have. So before you begin, make a list. What will fit your needs? Your family's needs? As an example, if you have three teenage girls, settling on a 1-bath house may not work for your family. In this example, having at least two bathrooms and four bedrooms may be a priority as well as a necessity.

2. What area do you want to live in? What fits your lifestyle? If you are an urban dweller by nature, looking for homes in rural areas is probably a waste of time. If the thought of having neighbors close by makes you cringe, then you need to look outside of the suburbs and in more rural towns. Try to narrow your search down to 2-3 areas.

3. Next, make a second list of features that you would like but are not critical. A powder room off of the kitchen may be convenient if you entertain, appliances included, a walk out basement, master suite, pool....these may be features you would prefer but if one is missing you may be willing to compromise without it being a major inconvenience.

4. Your final list should include features that don't matter one way or another to you. Septic vs. sewer, well vs. public water, air conditioning, pool, walk out basement...the items that will have no bearing on your decision whether or not to buy that particular house.

This is in no way meant to pursued you to buy before you are ready but if you set yourself up to find the "perfect" house, you may be setting yourself up to be searching for an unattainable goal. Even if you are building a new house, you will likely find yourself having to compromise on certain things. Often it's related to cost or sometimes having a 4th bedroom means you can't have a 2-story family room....then you have to decide which is more important?

Before you go out in the market, do research online and ask your agent for some guidance. In today's market, there are many choices for buyers to be selective but if you're serious, you will find the home that is best for you!