Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today

<article class="post-732322 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry" id="post-732322"><span class="entry-date">July 3, 2023</span><div class="entry-header center-block text-center"><h1 class="entry-title">Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today</h1><div class="shareBlock"><div class="shareTitle">Share</div><div class="shareIcons"><a aria-label="Twitter Share Link" class="twitter solid display-inline-block" data-tracking="Post,Social Post Link Clicked,Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/share?text=Evaluating+Your+Wants+and+Needs+as+a+Homebuyer+Matters+More+Today&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fgilliggroup.com%2Fblog%2Fevaluating-your-wants-and-needs-as-a-homebuyer-matters-more-today%2F" target="_blank"><span class="force-hidden">Twitter</span></a>
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</div></div><div class="post-tax post-category"><span></span><a href="../category/realtor-blog/index.html" rel="tag">Realtor Blog</a></div><div class="post-tax post-post_tag"></div></div><div class="entry-content"><div><img alt="Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today Simplifying The Market" decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media.agentaprd.com/sites/222/20230703-evaluating-your-wants-and-needs-as-a-homebuyer-matters-more-today.webp" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear: both; max-width: 100%;" width="358"/>
<p>When it comes to <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/06/19/saving-for-a-down-payment-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">buying a home</a>, especially with today’s <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/04/26/the-three-factors-affecting-home-affordability-today/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">affordability</a> challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/06/07/the-main-reason-mortgage-rates-are-so-high/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">Mortgage rates</a> impact how much it <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/05/19/the-impact-of-changing-mortgage-rates-infographic/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">costs</a> to borrow money for your home loan. And, to help offset the higher borrowing costs today, some homebuyers are taking a close look at their wish list and re-evaluating what features they really need in their next home to avoid overextending. As a recent <em>NerdWallet </em>article <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/mortgages/ways-to-prepare-for-a-tight-summer-housing-market" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">says</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“A pool, for example, may be nice to have, but it may not provide as much day-to-day value as a garage or a space for a home office . . .”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>While that pool may be appealing, think twice on whether or not it’s really something you must have to be happy in your next home. Is getting that pool the main reason you’re moving? Probably not. It’s more likely a need for more space, a home office, or proximity to loved ones, friends, or work that’s motivating you to make a change.</p>
<p>So, if you’re looking to <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/06/22/what-homebuyers-need-to-know-about-credit-scores/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">buy a home</a>, take some time to consider what’s truly essential for you in your next house. Make a list of all the features you’ll want to see, and from there, work to break those features into categories. Here’s a great way to organize your list:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Must-Haves</strong> – If a house doesn’t have these features, it won’t work for you and your lifestyle (examples: distance from work or loved ones, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Nice-To-Haves</strong> – These are features you’d love to have but can live without. Nice-to-haves aren’t dealbreakers, but if you find a home that hits all the must-haves and some of these, it’s a contender (examples: a second home office, a garage, etc.).</li>
<li><strong>Dream State</strong> – This is where you can really think big. Again, these aren’t features you’ll need, but if you find a home in your budget that has all the must-haves, most of the nice-to-haves, and any of these, it’s a clear winner (examples: a pool, multiple walk-in closets, etc.).</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you’ve categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss your top priorities with your <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/05/22/why-buyers-need-an-expert-agent-by-their-side/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">real estate agent</a>. Remember to think carefully about what’s a non-negotiable for your lifestyle and what’s a nice-to-have that’s more of an added bonus. Be sure to discuss where each feature falls with your agent. They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2023/05/31/keys-to-success-for-first-time-homebuyers/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);" target="_blank">coach</a> you through the best way to stick to it, and find a home in your area that meets your top needs.</p>
<h3>Bottom Line</h3>
<p>Putting together your list of necessary features for your next home might seem like a small task, but it’s a crucial planning step on your homebuying journey today. If you’re ready to find a home that fits your needs, connect with a local real estate advisor.</p>
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