Everyone has a rough sketch in mind of their dream home. However, when you decide to jump into the property market already, you need more than a rough sketch and less of a dream home. You have to be utterly clear not just what you want, but more importantly, what you need in a home. You must have a comprehensive list of your essentials, even before talking to real estate agents or looking at home prices. Hence, in considering your needs, you should consider these aspects, too:
Location
The address of your home can either help fulfill your needs or make it harder for you to do such. If you’re moving with kids, whose primary needs are learning and development, then you must look at properties near schools and parks. If you’re a professional, whose primary concern is to expand career opportunities, then you should be able to find a home that’s close to central business districts. Of course, there are basic needs your neighborhood must satisfy, regardless of your lifestyle, including security, a sense of community, and peace and order. Remember that location should be at the top of your considerations because it’s one of those things you can’t simply change once you get settled in. So keep in mind the real estate agents’ mantra: location, location, location.
Size and Type
The number of people moving with you will dictate how big or what kind of home you should get. The typical Filipino family gets a bungalow that has two bedrooms. Those living with their aging parents and some adult siblings go for a multi-story home; some of which have basements. To know the right fit for you, check out model units of property developers. This will help you better visualize what it’s like living in a space that has the specific dimensions. Most people moving with kids check out the family-friendly house model Margaret Lancaster Cavite that real estate professionals offer. You might want to consider this as well. Beyond the actual house, pay attention to the size of the lot. An outdoor space is functional as a play zone for the kids or a parking area.
Amenities
Be extra cautious about listing down amenities because this is where wants often disguise themselves as needs. People often have a long list of amenities needed, from swimming pools and music studios to large libraries. In most instances, people just convince themselves that these are essentials. In some cases, though, they are indeed a necessity. To an athlete, a swimming pool may really be vital. To a songwriter, a music studio is something they couldn’t not have. The point is that you’re the only one who can determine if something is indeed an essential or just a splurge. A rule of thumb here is to keep the amenities to a maximum of 10 items so that you can focus only on necessities and avoid justifying every want as a need.
Remember, you have to know what your priorities are when coming up with the picture of your future home. It will save you from a great deal of headaches and heartaches. Therefore, the question remains: What do you need in a home?