When buying a home, you have to consider your NEEDS and your WANTS. Once you have done this, then you can start looking. If you start looking before you’ve considered your needs and wants, you may fall in love with a house that you can’t afford and then nothing in your price range will ever measure up to it.

Kitchen &  Eating Area
Consider your lifestyle in relation to the kitchen and dining room. Do you spend hours cooking? Is a full gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and lots of cabinet space what you need? Do you require an eat-in kitchen or will you always use the dining room?

Living & Family Rooms
Is your lifestyle pretty relaxed, or do you need separate living and family rooms? Many family rooms need to be large enough to accommodate computer stations as well as the entertainment centre.

Master Suite
The master suite is something that really draws the attention of a home buyer. Think about the size of your furniture, do you need extra room for a crib? Do you need a sitting area or study? What about separate walk-in closets or an ensuite bath?

Bedrooms & Bathrooms
How many bedrooms do you need? One for each child? Do they need their own bathroom or can they share? Do you have frequent visitors and require a  separate room for them?

Storage Space
Think about how much storage you require and where you need to have it. Do you need a basement or attic for storage? Are there temperature sensitive items that need to be stored or things that you need to get to frequently?

Laundry
Would it be better for you to have the washer & dryer in an upstairs closet or have a full laundry room? Do you want it on the main floor or in the basement?

Parking
Is a garage absolutley necessary? For how many cars? Could you live with a covered outdoor space?

Home Buyers Checklist
The decision to buy a home can be fun and exciting, but it can also be tiring and confusing. So before you start looking be sure to fill out the Home Buyers Checklist. This checklist will help you decide what you want and need in a home. It will also help you focus on potential future needs and determine which needs are must-haves and which are negotiable. Click here to download a copy of the Home Buyers Checklist.