Needs vs Wants

Understand What You NEED In Your Next Home vs. What You WANT.

There are two things you should consider: Your NEEDS…and your WANTS. They’re two very different things.

Needs

You may need four bedrooms because of your children, or need a 3-car garage because of your three cars. What you’ll find is your needs are fairly basic. It’s the “wants” that take a little more time to clarify. Here is a list of needs you should consider before looking for your home:

  • General price range of home. We’ll cover this up front when discussing financing options and the amount of home you can afford.
  • Approximate square footage size of home, which should be in a reasonable range.
  • General location, area, or subdivision.
  • Number of bedrooms required. Don’t forget to include any home offices or guest rooms.
  • Number of bathrooms you need. Frequently determined by the number of children you have.
  • Style and layout of home. Do you want a more formal plan, or a contemporary plan with great room designs, etc.
  • School requirements or districts.

Wants

A great way to get a handle on your wants is to take a good look at your present home.

  • What do you like about it?
  • Do you like its open floor plan?
  • Do you like the kitchen and eating areas?
  • Do you like the common area layout?

Make a list of everything you like about your present home, or homes you’ve visited.

Now, let’s take a look at what you don’t like about your home.

  • Do you hate the flat roof?
  • Do you hate the master bedroom layout?
  • Are the bedrooms too small?
  • Is the kitchen too far from the garage?

If you dislike something with your present home, you’re going to dislike it with your new home. So the more concretely you can identify these items, the more likely you are to avoid them.

Understand What Each Other Is Looking For, And WHY

This exercise will eliminate many disagreements down the road for many couples. You will both understand what the other wants, and WHY they want it. I recommend you RANK each feature in terms of its importance to you and your partner. You’re both going to live in the home, so it’s best to understand what each other desires to have in the home. Try to understand each other’s priorities.

Most People Have More Dreams Than Money

Ranking will also show you areas you may need to eliminate because of price constraints. By having each person rank the importance of the features they want, you will not be eliminating an important high priority item.

If you’re like most people, the decision to buy a home involves a number of stresses and strains. For about 80% of buyers, it’s the single largest financial transaction of their lives. I strive to make it hassle-free and hopefully a little fun….because it is more than just a roof over your head.

For a hassle-free real estate experience call Alexa Silva at 772-245-9158 to discuss your needs and express your wants in your next Martin County Real Estate transaction.