Published March 2, 2023

The Home Priority Checklist

Written by Erica Carlson

The Home Priority Checklist header image.

If this is your first home, remember back to when you were buying your first car— you never thought it was your forever car! Approach buying your first home the same way. Buy a home for what you think you will need for the next five years. The average person stays in their first home for between 3 to 5 years. Setting your sights too high can put you back in another lease or experiencing the “Cost of Saving” (see Appendix C, pg 37).

Compromises will be made in every home purchase. This is true for both new construction and existing homes. It is also true for those on a tight budget or very large budget. Buyers should ask themselves some questions:

Where do I want my home to be located? How much space do I need and why? Would I be interested in a fixer-upper? Would I be interested in a condo or townhome? Would I be interested in new construction? What features and amenities do I want? What do I really need?

The search process will likely take an exhausting amount of time if you do not have a clear understanding of your priorities. There are five main decisions that need to be prioritized, listed below. Order them one through five. If you are shopping for a home with a significant other, we apologize in advance. We call this list the “fight starter.” However, it is vitally important that you come to an agreement as to the order—you can only have one list per couple. Unless, of course, you do not want to find a home. The key is to be honest with yourself.

• Price range
• Size (floor plan/layout)
• Condition (updates and amenities) • Location (suburb, city, distance from work)

• Neighborhood (surrounding homes, parks, schools)

Try not to compromise on your top two priorities. This will prevent you from the frustration of looking at the wrong homes while the right ones are selling right in front of your eyes. Some of these priorities you may not know yet and that is ok. If you find yourself saying, “I’m not picky” or “I am open,” it may be beneficial to do an exploratory set of showings with your agent. Check out different layouts, sizes, areas, and so forth. This will help you determine what is truly important and what to steer clear of.

Interested in more, essential home buyer information? Download The Smart Homer Buyer now.