When buying a new home, it’s important to think about all the things your house will need for your family and lifestyle. Before you start looking, it can be helpful to create a wishlist of must-have items.
With so many different properties on the market, making a wishlist helps you narrow it down, so you only invest time looking at properties that will suit your needs.
Here are some important factors to consider when creating your dream home wishlist.
Location
When deciding on the location you want to buy a house, keep in mind the proximity to amenities that are important to your daily life, such as shops, cafes, schools, parks, health services, and public transport.
If you have children or are planning for them in the future, it’s a good idea to check out the school zones in the area you’re looking to buy.
Also consider your commute to work, as this can significantly impact your lifestyle if the distance is further than you’d prefer.
Depending on the area you’re looking at, there may be certain types of homes that are more common in that area. House and land packages in Clyde North are becoming highly sought after, with the area boasting close access to shops, cafes, restaurants, parks and playgrounds, schools and lush green scenery.
Many buyers have a dream location in mind before looking at houses, however, the reality may be that the area does not suit your lifestyle or your budget. Don’t limit yourself to too small an area. Consider surrounding suburbs, and broaden your search to increase your chances of finding your dream home.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will impact what you need from your future home. If you work from home, you may want a designated space to get work done. If you’re quite sociable, you may prioritise a home with a larger living-space or backyard for entertaining guests.
Having a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms may be a necessity for families, or if you lead an active lifestyle you may want a home close by parks and walking trails.
Also, consider the livability the property will afford you. Are you looking to move into a new home straight away that requires little to no maintenance, do you want a fixer-upper to renovate, or do you want to design and build a brand new home?
Numerous lifestyle factors will determine what should go on the wishlist of your dream home. Remember to prioritise them and be flexible where you can, as you may not get everything you want.
Features
There’s a wide variety of design features to consider in a home, from style to layout, to fittings and fixtures.
Have a list of essentials and any likes and dislikes. Rank your preferences to help you evaluate what features are deal-breakers and which ones you can be more flexible about.
Your home requirements may include a minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms or a large backyard. Features that are not essential, but you may like in your new home could include an enclosed garage, walk-in-wardrobes or an ensuite bathroom.
When considering if a property has all the features you like, if you find a house that ticks all your other boxes in terms of what you want from a home, keep in mind that you may be able to change things down the track.
Future
When buying a home, you’re likely going to live there for a long time, so you need to think about how it will suit your future needs.
You may also want to find out about future developments in the location you’re looking to buy, to see how they might impact the area.
Pay attention to the quality of the fixtures, fittings and materials when inspecting houses and look to see if anything will need replacing. You want to buy a home built with high-quality materials. If you’re building a new home, buying the highest quality you can, is a good investment. Rather than buying an existing home, house and land packages in Clyde North provide you with more control over choosing quality materials and fixtures to future-proof your home.
When creating a wishlist for your dream home, think about not only your current needs but where you will be in the next decade.