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A Home Shopper’s Must-Haves and Wish Lists

Shopping for a home is an exciting adventure and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of dazzling for-sale homes and all of their fabulous amenities – which can cause you to temporarily forget that a large backyard is your top priority. To keep yourself focused, take time to identify and organize exactly what you’re looking for in a home by creating thorough “must-have” and “wish” lists before you begin home shopping. You may also want to make a third list that details your dislikes.

To get started ask yourself these questions: Which items and features must your home have? Which items and features would you like to have, but could live without? What would your dream house include? And, what features or issue must you avoid?

For the must-have list, try to focus on essentials and hard-to-change details, like a home’s layout. If you must have a three-bedroom, two-bath house, put it on the list. Ranking your must-haves in order of importance is also a good idea.

Hard-to-change, must-have features can include the type of house, for example a two-story colonial or sprawling rancher; the number of rooms and square footage; the home’s proximity to shopping; or its overall condition. Your must-have list can’t be too detailed because it aims to itemize the features that are most important to you and your family.

Your wish list is the flexible and fun list. Wish lists are good for cosmetic features that would be great to have, but that can be changed. Hardwood floors can replace old wall-to-wall carpeting. If the yard is large enough and has adequate open space, a pool can be installed later. And landscaping can be a work in progress. Since the wish list is secondary, there are no limits so be sure to also include your dream amenities.

While compiling your lists, don’t hesitate to confer with your real estate professional, who is a great source for information about neighborhoods, homes and other pertinent “must-have” information.

Once you’ve determined your must-haves and optional features, create a checklist to take with you during your home tours. Besides helping you stay focused, it will provide an organized review of each house.

Your lists will most likely change as you tour homes and see what the market really has to offer. It’s also unlikely that one house will include all of your must-have features. But, your efforts will be well worth it once you find the perfect house that includes just enough must-haves and even a few wishes. Your perfect home might not include that must-have basement, but its view may be a dream come true.

Contact me for a personal consultation regarding your next home purchase.

By now things are beginning to slow down for most of us after the Christmas Holidays.  After Jan. 1, we begin to think now is the time to make some decisions, resolutions or changes.  Many people who have been waiting for the best time to buy will begin to realize that time is now.  Real Estate is a long term investment and there is no such thing as a bad market.   In fact, 2007 existing home sales surpassed those of 2002.  Today, you have more choices and favorable interest rates.  I can help you put together a good deal that will provide an investment in home ownership with all the good things that go along with that.

Some interesting statistics on Housing Units, household income, home values, per capita income and median age in New Castle County, Delaware comparing the years 2007 and 2012.  New Castle County is one of the most desirable areas on the east coast.  Too many amenities to mention here.  Call me for any of your New Castle County Delaware real estate needs. 

Information from Costvsvalue report 2007

2007 Housing Units             214,716

    Owner Occupied Units        67.6%

    Renter Occupied                26%

    Vacant Units                    6.4%

Projected:

2012 Housing Units            225,842

    Owner Occupied Units        67.2%

    Renter Occupied                25.9%

    Vacant Units                       6.9%

Median Household Income

2007                                $67,164

2012 Projected                   $80,144

Median Home Value

2007                                $266,433

2012 Projected                  $330,320

Per Capita Income

2007                                $32,931

2012 Projected                  $40,412

Median Age

2007                                36.6

2012 Projected                  37.3

New Castle (DE) County
2000 Households by Type
Total	188,935
Family Households	67.3%
Married Couple Family	49.6%
With Related Children	23.8%
Other Family (No Spouse)	17.6%
With Related Children	11.6%
Nonfamily Households	32.7%
Householder Living Alone	25.7%
Householder Not Living Alone	7%
Households with Related Children	35.5%
Households with Persons 65+	21.8%

Call me or e-mail me anytime.

Larry Tims