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Excellent communication is at the heart of any effort to find the
perfect home. To help your Realtor pinpoint properties that meet
your criteria, it's important to make it clear from the beginning
what your Wants and Needs are.
You may feel strongly about finding a home that has all the bedrooms
on the same level. But if you don't communicate this to your
Realtor, you could both end up frustrated.
The first step is to make a list of these Wants and Needs. Spend
some time to really clarify the difference between the two. You may
want a first-floor laundry. You've decided to move because
you've outgrown your first home, which means you may need
at least
four bedrooms, plus a den/guestroom, to be comfortable. A Need
generally is a must-have, while a Want is not a feature you deem
absolutely necessary, but rather one that would sweeten the house
pot, so to speak.
When you prepare your list, consult with other family members. Once
the list is complete, at least for the moment, hand a copy to your
Realtor. Making a list will help clarify things for you and your
family, and also set the Realtor on the right track.
Things to consider include:
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Square footage—how much finished square footage do
you need? Do you want unfinished space for future expansion?
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How many bedrooms and baths do you require? How
important is a private master bath? Do you need a powder room for
guests, or would this be more a Want? Also, consider the size and
location of these rooms.
-
Room sizes—does your family congregate in the
kitchen? Do you function best in an open kitchen/family room area,
or is a kitchen more an afterthought, in which a galley would
do?
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Do you need a den, office, library, storage,
mudroom, spa, sauna, pool, extra storage space, a basement?
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What size yard would you like? Do you garden and
enjoy lawn work, or is no maintenance landscaping a must?
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Do you prefer a garage that's attached or
unattached? Do you have an RV, a boat, more than two cars? What
about space for a workshop or outdoor tools?
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Make sure you're clear on what you want in the way
of schools, nearby recreation, shopping and highway access.
As you begin house hunting, you may discover that you've omitted
some things from the Wants list, or that a Need advances to a Want.
You may drop that Want from the list altogether. Wants and Needs
change, so update your list accordingly. Once you've made changes,
make sure you tell your Realtor so that the search for the perfect
home proceeds smoothly.
Copyright 2003
PropertySource Network |
