What Do You Want and Need in a Home?

I'm reproducing here information from REBAC, a subsidiary of the National Association of Realtors, regarding considerations for Buyers in setting priorities as they shop for a new home. I am proud to have the ABR designation (Accredited Buyer's Representative) that is awarded by REBAC.

"Finding a new home can be exciting. But deciding what you truly want and need—and can afford—can be challenging. Making these decisions begins with setting priorities among many different preferences. Most homebuyers invariably face trade-offs. Your buyer’s representative can play a key role in helping you sort out your options. He or she can also offer important insights specific to your local market. Here are many of the considerations you'll want to discuss with your buyer's rep:

Basic Home Features
*Do you prefer a single-family
detached home, townhome,
condominium, or other type
of property?
*Desired number of bedrooms
and baths
*Preferences regarding kitchen,
dining, family rooms, etc. and
preferred home layout
* High-priority home features,
such as kitchen appliances,
fireplace, etc.
* Other types of rooms needed
(e.g., a home office or a
hobby space)
* Storage spaces (closets,
basement, an outdoor shed, etc.)
* Need for a garage or
parking space, and if so,
for how many cars?

Other Home Preferences
* Ranch, two story, split level, etc.
F Age and style of home
(Victorian, bungalow, modern, etc.)
* How important is energy
efficiency or other green
home features?

Neighborhods/Location
* Commuting considerations
(to work, shopping, etc.)
* Proximity to desirable features
(such as a community center,
exercise facility, school, hospital, etc.)
* Views—how important is to find
your ideal view (overlooking a park,
for example) or avoiding a bad one
(a busy highway)?

Lot Characteristics
* Size and shape, including back,
front and side yards
* Landscaping considerations—the
need for open play areas, privacy,
patio space, decking, etc.
* Home orientation—is it important
for your home to face a particular
direction?

Life at Home
* If you’ll be sharing your home
with children, pets, live-in parents
or others, how does this impact
your housing preferences?
Both now, and in the future?
(For example, pets may require a
fenced-in yard; older parents may
dictate one-floor living.)
* Proximity to neighbors
Related Costs
* Homeowner association fees?
* Property taxes

Trade-offs
* How much do you want to invest
in a home beyond the purchase
price, either financially or in terms
of sweat equity, if you can’t find
exactly what you want?
* Are you willing to consider other
neighborhoods that provide
better affordability?

Resale
* How long do you plan to live in
this home? How does this impact
the type of home you will buy,
how much you’ll spend, and your
choice of location?"