Shopping for a New Home? Create a Wish List!

For most people, buying a home is still the "great American dream." But before you go out shopping for that dream home, why not create a wish list encompassing all the criteria that you'll require to meet your needs? While it's only the beginning, it can nevertheless save you a great deal of time and effort in tracking down the perfect home for you and your family. You can start your house-hunting expedition by researching the following topics:

• Where do you want to live?
• What type of home are you looking for? (For instance, do you want a condo, townhouse, duplex or other multifamily structure, or are you in the market only for an unattached, single-family home?)
• Is the neighborhood a safe one?
• Is the home located near good schools?
• Is the home situated near parks, grocery stores and other shopping areas?
• How far away is public transportation?
• How close to the freeway do you want your new home to be?
• How many bedrooms do you require?
• How many bathrooms would you prefer?
• Do you want or need a garage?
• Does the home offer a good view?
• How large would you like the kitchen to be?
• Does the kitchen have enough cabinet space to accommodate your needs?
• How many closets do you require?
• Do you prefer a multi-level home with a basement or recreation room?
• Does the home need central air-conditioning and/or heating?
• Do you prefer carpeting or parquet floors?
• What types of appliances do you want in your new home?
• What type of window casings do you prefer?
• Do you want or need a large back yard?
• How large would you like the front yard area to be?
• Do you want fencing around the yards?
• Do you want a deck or patio?
• Is the new home surrounded by plenty of trees?

These are just some of the questions that may be useful when searching for your new home. You may also have other requirements on your list that are just as important. The most common questions, however, typically relate to location. For instance, if you have children you'll probably prefer to live in an area where there are quality schools. Additionally, if you have a family pet, you may want to make certain that there's enough back yard space for your pet to safely run around in.

The kitchen is a focal point of any house and, while you can probably make some compromises, for many people it's this area that must meet the most rigid requirements. A kitchen lacking sufficient cabinetry will never endear itself to its owners. Space for a breakfast nook or a dining room off the kitchen area where the entire family can sit comfortably is also typically in high demand.

It's always a good idea to make a wish list before you shop for a new home. Even though it may take awhile before you can actually purchase a home, you can still keep track of the items that are most important to you. As your children grow or your perspectives change, your list may change, too. That's quite alright; the important thing is to keep the dream alive.