The Ultimate Wishlist for Homebuyers

When it comes to buying a home, most Central home buyers know to keep some degree of flexibility when they're on the hunt. However, just because a buyer is open to different types of properties, doesn't mean they don't have preferences to help guide their search. For buyers just getting started, here's how to create the ultimate wishlist for a home.

Region, Price, Style

To a certain extent, the lender dictates many of the wishlist components. Lenders essentially tell buyers how much they can afford, which also tells them the areas where they can afford to live and the school systems they're likely to access. But just because a wishlist is limited doesn't mean buyers don't have some degree of control. Here are a few questions to ask when sketching out the basics:

• Do buyers want a home less than five years old? More than 50?
• Will children need to walk to school?
• Do buyers want a townhouse? Two-story? Ranch?
• Is it important to live near public transportation?
• Will buyers be willing to do serious renovations or maintenance?
• Are there any physical disabilities that need to be accounted for?
• Does the home need a formal space where people can eat?

The Details

As buyers give themselves an idea of how to narrow down the number of houses they see, they can also consider how much of a yard they need, how many bathrooms they want, and which features would make the home feel more complete. This could be anything from a large yard to air conditioning to wall-to-wall carpeting.

The Right Mindset

Homebuyers can obviously change their home however they would like once they move in. In other words, carpeting and air conditioning can be installed. But for homeowners who know they need something move-in ready, it helps to be realistic as soon as the search begins. A wishlist can be a great way to focus on the deal-breakers before they create chaos later on.

A wishlist doesn't necessarily have to be long and detailed, it just needs to cover the most important factors of the home. As buyers create an open house schedule, they can strike the properties that don't match up.