1) Location Let's face it: the location of your new home should be at the top of your list. Depending on your needs, the proximity of your home to your children's school, your job, the local shopping mall or public transportation may be a consideration when looking for a home. Because of the importance of location, it is always good to find a trusted estate agent through a company like Property Plus Investments to help you find a home that best fits your wants and needs.
2) Must-Haves Must-haves are the requirements that must be met in order to accommodate you and your family. For example, a must-have for a large family may be a home with at least four bedrooms, while a must-have for the entertainer may be a pool and lapa. Consider your must-haves and don't stray from that list, particularly if you find yourself getting stars in your eyes. Remember: think with your head and not your heart when choosing a home so you can be certain your family's needs are being met.
3) Wish List Your wish list should not be a huge consideration when choosing a home, but it can be something you may strive to achieve. For example, you may have a swimming pool or tennis court on your wish list. It is important to make a wish list so you can distinguish between your wants and needs.
4) Bonus Features Bonus features may include a study, a TV room or a 3rd garage. Think of bonus features according to the following sentence: I would really appreciate a (fill in the blank). In other words, they are certainly not must-haves, but they may make the home all the more attractive if it had these particular features.
5) Deal Breakers These are things that you absolutely cannot have in your new home, so take the time to consider what things would be deal breakers for you and your family. For example, if you have a dog, a deal-breaker may be a home without a garden. If you are a pensioner, a deal-breaker could be a home with stairs. Consider the things most important to your family when making your checklist of deal breakers.
Use this comprehensive checklist to keep yourself organised, focused and on task.