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<strong>HOME</strong><br />
<strong>BUYING</strong>:<br />
<strong>HOW</strong> <strong>TO</strong><br />
<strong>DETERMINE</strong><br />
<strong>YOUR</strong><br />
<strong>SEARCH</strong><br />
<strong>CRITERIA</strong>
One of the most frustrating aspects of searching for a new home is<br />
the time wasted looking at properties that ultimately don't interest<br />
you.<br />
1 2<br />
Deciding what you want before beginning your search will make the<br />
home buying process more successful. Below is a sample of search<br />
criteria we include in our Buyer Savvy Guide to help our buyer clients<br />
hone in on what’s really important to them. It’s important to not be<br />
too strict in your search criteria as that could prevent you from<br />
discovering a property that you would like to buy. On the other hand,<br />
if you are too broad with your criteria, you will end up visiting home<br />
after home that is not right for you. The key is having a good balance<br />
in your search criteria.<br />
Baseline search<br />
criteria<br />
ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING ASPECTS OF <strong>SEARCH</strong>ING FOR A NEW <strong>HOME</strong> IS<br />
THE TIME WASTED LOOKING AT PROPERTIES THAT ULTIMATELY DON'T INTEREST<br />
home. These include:<br />
YOU.<br />
Baseline search criteria include your basic, but often<br />
most important factors when deciding on a new<br />
Budget or price range<br />
DECIDING WHAT YOU WANT House style BEFORE BEGINNING <strong>YOUR</strong> <strong>SEARCH</strong> WILL MAKE THE<br />
Number of beds and baths<br />
<strong>HOME</strong> <strong>BUYING</strong> PROCESS MORE SUCCESSFUL. BELOW IS A SAMPLE OF <strong>SEARCH</strong><br />
Lot size<br />
<strong>CRITERIA</strong> WE INCLUDE IN OUR BUYER SAVVY GUIDE <strong>TO</strong> HELP OUR BUYER CLIENTS<br />
HONE IN ON WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT <strong>TO</strong> THEM. IT’S IMPORTANT <strong>TO</strong> NOT BE <strong>TO</strong><br />
STRICT IN <strong>YOUR</strong> <strong>SEARCH</strong> <strong>CRITERIA</strong> AS THAT COULD PREVENT YOU FROM<br />
DISCOVERING A PROPERTY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE <strong>TO</strong> BUY. ON THE OTHER HAND, I<br />
YOU ARE <strong>TO</strong>O BROAD WITH <strong>YOUR</strong> <strong>CRITERIA</strong>, YOU WILL END UP VISITING <strong>HOME</strong><br />
AFTER <strong>HOME</strong> THAT IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU. THE KEY IS HAVING A GOOD BALANCE<br />
can start to rank the importance of other key<br />
IN <strong>YOUR</strong> <strong>SEARCH</strong> <strong>CRITERIA</strong>.<br />
Other criteria for you<br />
to rank in importance<br />
After deciding on your baseline search criteria, you<br />
features of your future home and it’s location. Below<br />
is sample of features included in the Home Elements<br />
worksheet in the Savvy Buyer Guide:
0 3<br />
W W W . P I S T O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M<br />
Location<br />
Access to public transportation<br />
Proximity to commuter routes<br />
Proximity to parks and play<br />
areas<br />
Quality of schools<br />
Property<br />
Fenced Yard<br />
Patio or Deck<br />
Pool<br />
Garage<br />
Outside storage<br />
Kitchen<br />
Eat-in kitchen<br />
Island or bar<br />
Newly remodeled<br />
Bedrooms<br />
Private bath in master suite<br />
Bedroom on main level<br />
Other Features<br />
Hardwood floors<br />
Gas heating<br />
Finished basement<br />
Den
2 3 I M A G E<br />
S O U R C E : H T T P S : / / A R T E S I A N T I T L E . C O M /<br />
A R T I C L E<br />
S O U R C E : E R I C S T E W A R T G R O U P . C O M<br />
We have our clients rank these features on a scale of 1-4. A “1” rating is a must have and generally a<br />
non-negotiable factor in your housing search. A “2” to “3” rating is a like to have, which means you are<br />
a little more flexible on these features. A “4” rating is a nice to have, which is just that, nice to have, but<br />
not essential.<br />
With a prioritized list of elements in hand, your real estate agent can search for homes that meet your<br />
requirements and you can start to visit different neighborhoods to get a better understanding of what<br />
is available for your budget. After going to a few homes, you may want or need to revisit your search<br />
criteria and make some adjustments.<br />
Your real estate agent should also offer to set you up on automated email alerts. You will<br />
automatically receive listings that meet your most important search criteria so you can review these<br />
homes, including pictures and property features, online. Nowadays, most buyers preview listings<br />
before deciding whether to have their agent set up a showing.<br />
Buying a new home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. However, by having a good idea<br />
of what you really want, you save time and energy and your housing search will be that much more<br />
productive. For any questions or help with your home search, please contact the Eric Stewart Group<br />
and we would be happy to assist you!
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