Determining "Must-Haves" When Buying A Home

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When getting ready to buy a home, it is extremely important to determine the “must-haves” your family needs from their next home to be successful. There is a fine line between necessities and desires, so before going home shopping, it’s important to sit down and carefully weigh out what is needed and what is wanted.

The best way that we can recommend doing this is by writing a list. You might be surprised that the needs and wants of your significant other are different than your own. It is much more productive to discuss the “must-haves” before you go out home shopping, so that both of you are on the same playing field. We have listed four major topics to consider, but there are many more, depending on your family’s needs.

Size

Size is a great place to start when considering a new home. How many bedrooms and bathrooms is a pretty easy first equation. What gets more difficult is when you start to think about the future. Maybe you are looking to get a dog, and that dog will need a yard to run around in. Maybe you are planning on having a boat, or an RV, and that will need to be stored somewhere. These questions walk the tightrope of need vs. want but are important conversations to have none the less.

Commute

The more acreage you go for, the further from town you end up. And that brings us to the question of the commute. It is imperative to have an honest and real discussion on how much of a commute is realistic. Remember, a work commute is one thing, but there are also the everyday activities that will bring you into town as well.

Schools

One of those everyday activities, depending on the stage of life you are in, is school. When considering buying a new home, it is a great idea to determine how important the school district is for your family. When considering this, it is a good idea to think about how long you plan on staying in your home, what level of schooling your children will require, and how close you are to those schools.

Community

A final thing to consider when determining the “must-haves” of a new home is the new community that you’ll be a part of. Are there family members that you would like to live closer to? Are there specific places that you’ll need to find nearby like a church, a gym or other community hubs?

Overall, the line between wants and needs can sometimes be a grey one, but the best way to navigate ambiguity is by sharing a common ground. And the best way to share common ground is to talk about your “must-haves” in advance.