Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Today

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Today

Since the number of homes for sale is low today, it can feel challenging to find one that checks all your boxes. But if you know which features are absolutely essential in your next home and which ones are just nice bonuses, you can land a home that fits your needs.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains it like this:

“Focus on the goal you set out for yourself, like your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves and your budget, . . . Stick to that. Be persistent.”

So how do you go about creating your list of desired features? The first step is to get pre-approved for your mortgage. Pre-approval helps you better understand your budget, and that plays an important role in how you’ll craft your list. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a home that’s too far out of reach.

Once you have a good grasp of your budget, you can begin to list all the features of a home you would like. Here’s a great way to think about them before you begin:

  • Must-Haves – 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.).
  • Nice-To-Haves – These are features that 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 the these, it’s a contender (examples: a second home office, garage, etc.).
  • Dream State– 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: farmhouse sink, multiple walk-in closets, etc.).

Finally, once you’ve created your list and categorized it in a way that works for you, discuss it with your real estate advisor. They’ll be able to help you refine the list further, coach you through the best way to stick to it, and find a home in your area that meets your needs.

Bottom Line

Crafting your home search checklist may seem like a small task, but it can save you time and money. It’s also one of the keys to being successful in today’s competitive market. Let’s connect so we can work together to find a home that fits your wants and needs.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

SF Market Update - March 2025

Single-family homes continue to be a hot commodity, while condos continue to sit on the market.

East Bay Market Update - March 2025

Inventory levels are increasing drastically throughout the entire East Bay, with the area seeing over 40% more active listings than this time last year.

The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast.

What You Need To Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is a must to protect your home and your investment. But with costs rising, you’ll want to do your homework to balance the best coverage you can g… Read more

Headed Back Into the Office? You May Decide To Move

A growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need … Read more

SF Market Update - February 2025

Mortgage rates have ticked back up to roughly the same levels, as they were at prior to the Fed issuing its first rate cut in September.

East Bay Market Update - February 2025

Inventories are one of the most important leading indicators of price trends, and we’re seeing quite the increase in inventories in the East Bay in terms of both singl… Read more

The Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper

If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership.

3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?” But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure whe… Read more

Let’s Talk

You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.