One of life’s great struggles is accurately differentiating between your wants and needs. In any given situation, you probably have a list of things you absolutely need, and a much longer list of things that you want. Being able to distinguish between the two is vital during the home search. Any feature that your prospective home has is a feature that you’ll be paying for. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for in your new home. When you start with a list of needs, you’ll be less likely to overpay for your new home.

Create a List of Everything You’re Looking for in a New Home, Then Categorize

Rather than trying to make a list of wants and needs right away, start with a general brainstorming session. List everything you could possibly want in a home. Don’t limit your ideas or creativity during this part of the process. It’s important to widen the scope as much as possible before you narrow it down. That way, you can be sure that all of your bases are covered during the process. Being able to make a visual list with a whiteboard or big notepad might be particularly helpful.

Once You Have Your List, Start to Categorize Each of the Items

Once you’re sure that you’ve thought of everything, then you can start to categorize the items. Make three columns: “need,” “want,” and “wishlist.” You can use these categories to prioritize. Think hard about each item in your list as you categorize it. “Two bathrooms,” for instance, might be an absolute need. “A kitchen island” may be more of a want. It’s something you desire, but not something you’d pass on a house over. The wishlist category is for features that you know will probably be out of your price range, or features that you could potentially add on your own in the future.

Knowing Your Needs Will Save You Money

When you have a comprehensive list of needs, you can share this information with your real estate agent to allow them to help you during the process. You won’t spend any time looking at houses without your list of needs, and then you can make a decision based on how well the home accommodates your wants. By having a concise needs list, you can avoid paying for features that you don’t want or need in your home. You may find that the money you save in this area allows you to add a want or a wishlist item to your new home.

Get Organized During the Homebuying Process with Bill Swanson

Bill Swanson is an Omaha native with decades of experience finding the right home for families. Bill knows the area, so he can help you find a home that checks all of the boxes on your list of needs. Start the homebuying process by reaching out to Bill Swanson in Omaha, NE at 402-679-6566.