If you are preparing to buy a home in southwest Missouri, or really anywhere, START HERE. Read on to find out how to build a wishlist to guide you as you shop the real estate market.
Price Range
Before you get started shopping, determine your price range. Talk to the bank or a financial advisor to find the magic number that’s within your budget so that you don’t fall in love with a home that’s not a practical option for you. Check out HGTV’s 10 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home for even more advice on getting the most for your money.
Size
Count up the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that best fit the needs of your family. Consider things like the number of living rooms, the space in each room, and the size of the kitchen, etc.
Location
It’s important to remember you’re not just buying a house, you’re joining a neighborhood. There are many factors to consider when it comes to location. What are you hoping to live near? The school? A park? Your workplace? How safe is the neighborhood? What is the traffic like? CLICK HERE for useful neighborhood safety resources from Homes.com.
Home Systems
Now, which home systems are a MUST for your new home? Do you NEED central heating and air conditioning, or could you get by without? As you’re making your wishlist, remember even if some of these things are missing at first, you can always add or update them later on if you leave room in your budget.
Exterior Features
How do you feel about a garage, driveway, porch, deck, or fenced yard? Are you looking for acreage? Do you need land for livestock? Or, do you just want a large back yard for the kiddos and pups? Consider what’s important to you and your family before the search begins.
Interior Features
When you walk inside, what are you expecting to see? Which type of floor plan do you like: open or closed? What kind of flooring do you prefer? Do you need extra closets and storage space?
If you’re looking at this list and getting overwhelmed, CLICK HERE to contact us. Our realtors would be glad to meet with you and show you some homes to help create, or even fulfill, your personal wishlist.