Your Dream Home Checklist

When you hear the phrase “Dream Home,” what does that mean to you? Does it mean living near a lake, on a farm, or close to town? Does it mean a large house with a fenced-in backyard, or do you lean more towards a small, cozy cabin? Maybe you focus more on the logistics – how much can you comfortably afford or how much space do you need at your current stage of life? There are many variables to consider when dreaming of your new home. The sky is the limit! When you’re ready to start the searching process, walk through this Dream Home Checklist to nail down some details beforehand, helping you save both time and energy.

What can you afford?

We all know when making a large purchase, such as a new home, we need to have an idea of where we stand in terms of our finances. Once you get your finances in order, you’ll have a better idea of where to start and how much wiggle room you may or may not have.

Here are a few items to consider when going over your finances:

• Are you currently living in a house that you will be selling?
• What is your price range?
• Do you have any money saved for a down payment?
• Will you have enough for any needed repairs?
• Are you planning on doing any renovations, or are you looking for a move-in ready home?

Where do you want to live?

This is another big question for you and your family, especially if you have school-age children. When searching for your dream home, you have to consider the location, including proximity to where you go each day and your surroundings.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What schools are nearby?
• Do you want to live in the country or close to town?
• What are some amenties you want/need close by, such as parks, hospitals, shopping, etc.?
• How easily can you get to work?
• What are the taxes, and are there HOA fees to consider?
• Is it a good neighborhood?

What is your current situation?

While we all have an idea of our dream home, we need to ask if it is practical. Does it fit your current lifestyle? Then, you need to consider your future a bit as well. Will you be adding to your family, will you become empty-nesters soon, are you getting to the point where you don’t want to deal with stairs in the home, etc.?

Think about a few of these things when evaluating your lifestyle and how it fits into the big picture of your dream home:

• Do you need additional space for more children in the future?
• Will you be empty-nesters and possibly down-sizing?
• Are you at a point in your life where you don’t want to have multiple stories and stairs to have to climb?
• Do you have enough space both inside and outside?
• Do you need a yard large enough for any furry friends?
• Do you need a privacy fence?

What are your dream home preferences?

After you have your finances and the non-negotiables a little more solidified, now is the time to think about the things you prefer in your home. What are some features you would love to have? These little details are fun to think about!

Here are some ideas to help you figure out your preferences and style:

• How many bedrooms do you want?
• How many bathrooms would be ideal?
• Do you want an outdoor space (room for an outdoor kitchen, room to throw a football around, room for a garden, etc.)?
• Do you want multiple stories?
• What style of home do you like best?
• What type of floors do you like?
• Do you like open floor plans?
• Do you like a lot of natural lighting (more windows) or less?
• Do you want a front porch or a deck on the house?
• Do you need a garage?
• Do you need a space for a home office?
• Do you want a recreation or game room?

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There are so many fun and exciting things to consider when starting the search for your dream home. Once you figure out your budget, necessities, and preferences, you’ll have a great starting point when starting your house search. Enjoy the process and happy house hunting!

Need help with your search? Click here to visit the listings area of our website or call 417-777-3300 to chat with us about your list and what’s available.