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Which Features Matter When Buying A Home?

Before buying a home, it can be helpful to sit down and consider which features are important to you. Making a list of your wants and needs in your dream home can help you narrow down your choices during your home search. When you’re buying a home, use these tips to help you figure out which features should go on your list:

• Needs vs. wants. Each family will have certain things they want when buying a home. The challenging part is deciding which features are needs and which ones are wants. If you have a family, safety may be your top priority, so a single-level house may be a must for you. If you’re a cook, you might need a renovated kitchen. Upgraded bathrooms or hardwood floors might go on your “wants” list – they’d be nice, but you’d be willing to compromise if you found a house that didn’t include these features.
• Talk it over with your family. If you’re married or have kids, you should consult them when deciding on which features your dream home should have. Your partner might want a large garden (and thus need a back yard), while families with children would consider the school districts in the area.
• Think about whether your needs are always necessary. You might be able to compromise on some of your needs. For example, a shady home with many trees and ceiling fans might not need air conditioning (especially in cooler cities). You might not need a large front yard if the home has a big back yard. Be ready to be flexible on your list – remember, it’s a guideline, not a definitive set of rules.
• Take your list to an open house (or five!). If you’re looking into buying a home, going to an open house can be the best way to judge if the home has all the things you want and need. Make sure you bring your physical list with you to the open house. You don’t want to overlook a feature because you didn’t have your list with you.

If you’re buying a house, making a list of features that you want and need can help you decide which house to purchase. Particularly if you’ve looked at a lot of homes, a list can help you narrow down your choices until you’re left with the perfect house for you.