Before you start your home search, spend some time thinking about what you want in a house. For couples it is
best to make up a list separated from each other. When both of you have finished with the list have a meeting and share each
others list. Compare them and determine where you two strongly agree and disagree.
Use the questions bellow to help you get your thoughts in order. Don't worry about affordability at this point.
Just consider all the items that come up. Once your list is completed, sort the items in order of must-have, nice-to-have,
if-included we will take it and no-way-no-how.
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New home or existing home?
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Desire to remodel a home?
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Desire a fixer-upper?
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Desire a move-in condition?
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Desire a Single-Family home with a yard?
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Do you like yard work?
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Would you consider a duplex or a condominium?
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Lot size important?
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Do you need a paddock?
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If considering a condo do you like a lower level or an upper level?
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Would you consider a condo Townhouse?
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What style of home (i.e. colonial, cape, garrison, dutch, ranch, split)?
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Do you like a contemporary home or condominium?
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What type of exterior (i.e. brick, clap boards, vinyl, stucco etc.)?
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Would you consider a one, two, or three story home?
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How much living space would work for you?
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How many bedrooms do you need?
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Do you need any office space?
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Do use an entertainment room?
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How many half and full bathrooms will be required?
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Do you need open space with lots of light?
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Do you need a great view (i.e. of a lake, mountains, and etc.)?
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Is central air conditioning important?
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Do you like forced hot water or forced hot air heating systems?
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Is oil or gas better for your needs?
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Do you want a basement?
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Do you want a finished or unfinished basement?
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Do you want a walk-out basement?
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Do you want a garage?
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Will a carport do?
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Do you want the garage to be attached to the house or detached?
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Do you want a garage under the house?
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Do you like an inclined lot or a level lot?
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How much closet and storage space do you need?
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Do you want a porch or patio?
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Do you like a 3-season porch or screened-in porch?
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Do you need a storage shed or an attic?
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Is it OK if a home came with a swimming pool?
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Do like a fireplace or wood stove?
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Do you consider hardwood floors (i.e. oak, maple, bamboo, and etc.)?
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How far from work or shopping would you tolerate?
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Do you want to be close to family and friends?
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Do you need public transportation?
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Is public park or ball field important?
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Would you live next to conservation land?
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Would you live next to wetlands (i.e. brooks, marshes, ponds etc.)?
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Do you travel often? Access to airports and highways important?
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Would you live in an isolated rural area or a densely populated area?
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Are you considering living on a cul-de-sac, dead-end street or a loop?
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Do you like cookie cutter neighborhoods or custom homes?
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Is the neighbors close to your own age?
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Do you need the use of the Internet, cable TV, and other special utilities?
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What type of school would you consider (i.e. private, public, religious, charter etc.)?
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Do you want a neighborhood with children of the same age as yours?
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Do you have specific needs (i.e. disabilities, children, pets etc...)?
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Does the home need to be optimal for disabled or elderly family members?
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Is noise a consideration?