MAKE A LIST You have an idea of what your dreamhouse would be like, but this impression in your mind will bemuch clearer andmore useful if you actually put pen to paper andmake a complete checklist of your needs and wants. It’s a good idea to start from the outside in, instead of inside out. This wouldmean considering location first. Location could be a need instead of a want. For example, if you got a promotion that requires you to move out of the city, then location is top priority and your highest need. But if you would like to stay in your area of your city, then location becomes closer to a “want” — such as a neighborhood you prefer for its specific amenities. Or for parents with young children or adult children with elderly parents, or broken families, location would be a need. It would be more of a desire if those factors don’t apply. Here’s another example of how location applies: Let’s say you fall head over heels in love with a certain home, but it’s on a busy, loud, or annoyingly unfinished road; youmight eventually regret your decision to move there, even if you love everything else about the home, particularly if you have children or pets. KNOWWHAT YOU NEED First, make a list of all the things your home must have. These would be the non-negotiables (your needs). There’s a good chance that you’ll have to make certain concessions in your home search (e.g., “This house is perfect for us, except I wish it had/didn’t have that one thing… but it’s not a big deal, and we can easily change or fix that.”). But don’t just “settle” when it comes to the things that you consider essential for you and your family to live both comfortably and happily for a
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