One of the best ways to start your home search is to take a moment to identify what is important to you. When most people start this process, they think of the number of bedrooms or bathrooms or have a specific area or neighborhood in mind. All of these factors are necessary to discuss. We suggest you write them all down (or type them out) in a column, because they are just a starting point. However, the next – and very important step – is to identify the “why” behind each of these features.
For example, someone may write down that they want a four bedroom house. The why, or reason, is that they want 3 bedrooms and a room for a home office. These reasons, the whys, are called the “benefits.” Discussing benefits is crucial because it helps us ensure you don’t miss out on a home that meets your needs. In this example, the family would be searching for a four bedroom house. So, they could possibly miss out on a perfect three bedroom home that has another room (not a bedroom), which would be ideal for a home office.
Buyers will often find that taking the time to investigate the why (or the benefits) they are looking for in each feature will start to uncover what they really want in a home. This exercise is called “features versus benefits” and you can use this template to get started. Below are some questions you can use to get started.
- What is your favorite room in a home? Why?
- How large and what style of a home do you have in mind? Why?
- What are the three things you can’t live without? Why?
- What hobbies and leisure activities should you consider?
- Do you have any special furniture you would like to accommodate?
- How do you feel about doing decorating or repairs on a home?
- How do you feel about buying a brand new home?
If there are multiple decision makers, be sure to list out your desired features and circle your top 3 separately before sharing the list with each other and your agent.
The biggest tip to remember is that buying a home takes time. When you work with a Ruhl&Ruhl Realtor, he or she will guide you through this process to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything, and that you find the ideal home without paying too much.
