The next step in the house hunting process is narrowing down exactly what you're looking for! I suggest taking some time and getting your Need list and your Want list together. Depending on how many houses you've looked at on line by now and how many house buying shows you've watched on TV this may either be a cake walk or ... whatever the opposite of a cake walk is!
Take some time and sit down with yourself and your house buying partner (if you have one) and discuss whats important to you and what would be nice to have but you could do without. Not only will this open the lines of communication between you and your housemate (maybe you are thinking a 2 car garage is a deal breaker but they don't mind just having a driveway) but it will also help your agent help you find your dream home (believe me its one of the first things they'll ask you).
To give you an example, here is what's on our Need and Want lists ...
NEED
3+ bedrooms
Good sized backyard
Off street parking for 2 cars
WANT
1.5+ bathrooms (boarder line between the want and the need list)
Updated eat-in kitchen
Separate dining room
Wrap around front porch
Garage
Deck in the back
Fenced in backyard
Pool
Washer/Dryer
Of course we would love to find a beautiful Victorian style house with a wrap around front porch and 4 bedrooms with 3 baths, a master suite and laundry room, with a gorgeous deck outside and an in ground pool ... all for 150K! But the chances of that happening are slim to none. We have to be realistic and making those lists really help!
Feel free to post your lists in the comment sections. I'd love to read what everyone else is looking for out there!!
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