Searching for a home can be a long and tedious process. You may unintentionally waste hours of your life scrolling through Zillow listings or touring homes with a real estate agent and end up hating each and every one of them.
The good news is there’s a very simple way to solve this problem so you can be focused and purposeful in your home search, even as a first time home buyer!
Create a personalized home wish list.
A carefully considered wish list will give you control over your home search, saving you countless hours of searching or driving around hoping you will miraculously find something you like.
Not sure how to begin?
No worries!
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Determine your basic housing needs.
First decide what the basics of your new home need to be. This includes size, location and any specific style requirements, such as needing a single story home to avoid stairs.
Decide on non-negotiables.
Next, decide what other items will be your non-negotiables. These are the things that are absolute musts in your new home. Do you need a yard, garage or basement for extra storage?
Also, think about what you absolutely do not want to deal with in a new home. A great place to start is to think about anything you hate about your current home or rental. You will definitely want to avoid those!
List all your wishes & dreams.
Finally, you’ll get to the fun part of choosing a style, a layout and any extra features that fit you and your family! Spend some time thinking practically, as well as allowing yourself to dream.
~Rather not have company see into your messy kitchen?
Skip the open floor plan!
~Tired of your living room being overtaken by baby toys?
Check the box for a family room or playroom.
~Dreaming of a pool, or space for a garden, or a finished basement for your teens?
Put it on your list.
If you’re interested in a more comprehensive list of questions to guide you through creating your wish list, email us at info@mdret.com and request a free copy of our Guide To Creating A Home Wish List. It includes a printable Wish List you can fill out and use to keep you focused and on track!
Happy Home Searching from the Teacher Incentive Program!
