Questions to ask yourself before buying a home
If a home doesn’t meet a specific need, is remodelling possible?
If there isn’t a garage, is there any possibility of building one? Always ensure that building codes are being complied with before making any remodelling plans. Every homebuyer should review the costs it would take to complete the necessary remodelling.
Are your expectations realistic?
Many first-time homebuyers look to find everything they want in one house. It’s often very unrealistic. When buying a home, it’s all about trade-offs and compromises. It’s best to begin visiting Real Estate web sites to better understand the types of homes available for a particular price range.
How long does a homebuyer plan to live in their new home?
Some people may want to live in a home for a few years before trading up to something with more rooms. Consider your long-term goals before buying.
What are some likes and dislikes about the current living situation?
There are things that every person loves and hates about their current living situation. For example, common issues might be lack of a modern kitchen or not enough bedrooms. On the positive, there are aspects homeowners may like about their existing situation, such as their location, windows, or closet storage. Figuring these details is crucial to creating a home buying Wishlist.
Needs & must-haves in a home
Ultimately, “needs” and “must-haves” are things that every homebuyer must access when deciding on their new home. If a home doesn’t meet their needs, it’s automatically a bad fit.
Location
Consider the commute times of the job location. This can save people hours of driving back and forth. Each home buyer will have different priorities when it comes to location. Some may prefer a further distance from work but closer to their child’s school district, where the neighbourhood is much safer. Evaluate what locations are livable and which ones aren’t.
Space
Always consider the space needed in a new home. There are also many types of homes to choose from, such as single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and duplexes. Depending on how long a person plans to live in their new home, they’ll need to think about their future family’s size. Consider the number of bathrooms, bedrooms, storage rooms, and yard space needed.
Budget
Always have a budget ready before shopping for houses. A home must fall within the price range of a home buyer; otherwise, it’s a waste of time to even look at it. The budget should be a home buyer’s first deal-breaker. It would be astute to visit one or more Mortgage lending facilities before you start shopping to evaluate how much you can afford. This usually is dependant on your annual household income, credit score, and total down payment they’re willing to put down.
Wants in a home
Wants are things that a home buyer would love to have, but it won’t deter them from purchasing if the home matches their needs.
Amenities
Some homeowners tend to confuse the amenities that they need versus the ones they want. For example, the type of AC system, garage, and home office space could be in the needs category. Wants may include a hot tub, landscaping, and pool.
At first glance, some of these amenities may seem like a need, but often there are many ways to work around them.
Aesthetics
As a home buyer, it is important to never pass up on a home solely on aesthetics. The appearance of a home can be easily changed and updated. For example, here are parts of the home that homeowners typically change after purchasing their home:
- Carpet
- Paint colour
- Hardwood floors
- Open floor plan
- Style of appliances
- Fixing bathroom or kitchen
- Built-in garage space
Home buying Wishlist
Here’s a comprehensive home buying needs vs. wants checklist to help any home buyer find the right house.
| BUDGET | Min.
| Max.
|
| Need | Want | |
| Type of Home | ||
| Single family detached – standalone house | ||
| Duplex – a duplex is where you’ve got two homes side by side, that are adjoined by one single wall. | ||
| Multifamily with rental units | ||
| Condo | ||
| Single story or no stairs | ||
| Location | ||
| Job | ||
| Public Transportation | ||
| Schools | ||
| Restaurants and Shops | ||
| Recreation, playgrounds, parks | ||
| Day-care | ||
| Views | ||
| Waterfront | ||
| Quiet street | ||
| Cul-de-sac | ||
| Walking neighbourhood | ||
| Airport | ||
| Bedrooms | Need | Want |
| Studio | ||
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4+ | ||
| Bathrooms | Need | Want |
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4+ | ||
| Room Features | Need | Want |
| Formal living room | ||
| Eat-in kitchen | ||
| Walk-in closets | ||
| Home Office | ||
| Open plan | ||
| Formal dining room | ||
| Laundry room | ||
| Covered patio | ||
| Master suite with bath | ||
| Flooring | ||
| Tile | ||
| Hardwood | ||
| Bamboo or cork | ||
| Manufactured wood | ||
| Wall-to-wall carpet | ||
| Laminate | ||
| Stone | ||
| Kitchen | Need | Want |
| Island | ||
| New appliances | ||
| Eat-in | ||
| New or remodelled cabinetry | ||
| Pantry | ||
| Breakfast bar | ||
| Stone countertops | ||
| Exterior | Need | Want |
| Wood | ||
| Shingle | ||
| Stucco | ||
| Stone | ||
| Brick | ||
| Low Maintenance | ||
| Parking | Need | Want |
| Garage | ||
| Off-street or Driveway | ||
| Carport | ||
| Outdoor Space | Need | Want |
| Fenced yard | ||
| Yard | ||
| Deck | ||
| Automatic sprinklers / irrigation system | ||
| Covered porch | ||
| Pool | ||
| Outbuildings | ||
| Courtyard | ||
| Patio | ||
| Gardens, landscaping, or trees | ||
| Energy Efficiency | Need | Want |
| Solar panels / Water heating | ||
Inverter air conditioners | ||
| Ceiling Fans | ||
| Energy star appliances | ||
| Low-flow toilets | ||
| Stove & Oven | Need | Want |
| Propane or natural gas | ||
| Electric | ||
| Other Design Features | Need | Want |
| Walk-in tub or shower | ||
| Elevator | ||
| Accessible kitchen | ||
| Extra-wide doorways | ||
| Grab bars | ||
| Ramp |
Once you have completed your wish list and done some research on what is available within your price range, give us a call.
WE WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S WISH A REALITY!
As a boutique company, we focus on understanding our clients’ lifestyle and are passionate about delivering dynamic, exceptional, guidance and service.
Contact Us
Office: 1 (246) 537 6633
Email: info@cipcaribbean.com
