Decide what you MUST have in your new house vs. what would “be nice to have”
If you have unlimited funds you can get everything exactly as you want.
The reality is that you have some price point within which your purchase must fall. That will mean that you will probably have to give up one thing in order to have something else you really want.
For example – you may love fireplaces, but in the price range and location you are looking, fireplaces are not that common, although fenced in yards are.
Let’s say you have a dog and need a fenced yard. Perhaps you find a rare house with a fireplace but it has no yard for a dog.
If you live in that house, you would have to walk the dog instead of simply letting him out in the yard on a cold winter morning when he emergently needs to go out.
Which house would you be most happy with?
The idea here is to think about factors that are truly most important to you and focus your house search on houses that meet YOUR most important criteria before worrying about any “nice-to-haves”.
You see, what often happens is that we can get SO excited looking online at all the beautiful homes out there. You may be tempted to look at them in person either at an open house or with an appointment.
However, the more you look at things that seem perfect for you – but that are sadly not really in your realistic price range – the more frustrating it becomes to not get what you want.
Thinking clearly about your highest priorities is a key strategy for staying focused and being happy with your results.
It will save you both time and the anguish of worrying about what you WISH you could have instead of what you CAN have while you are house-shopping.
Questions?
If you want, your broker can help you think about little things that are important in the long run and can help you figure out your particular priorities. Do not be shy about asking help.
Contact us – we would love to help you understand more!