Buying A Home: Your Needs And Wants and The Ben Franklin Close.
O.k. so you've Decided to it's time to Buy a Home. Now what? How do you prioritize? You know you probably can't have it all - but you Want to! It can be confusing and frustrating trying to separate your Needs from Your Wants. Especially when you Need your Wants!
It's important however to distinguish between the two. Reality dictates that the chances are you won't be able to have "Everything you Want".......but the hope is that we can get you everything you NEED and then some! But what's the Sum of the Some?
Ever heard of the Ben Franklin Close? Well this is a variation of it. Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns. On the one side write down - "Must Haves" - or "Non-negotiables" and on the Other Side write down "Wants but Not Essential".
Identify features you need and want. Is the location a non-negotiable? What about the square footage or bedrooms? Do you have to have a Garage or a Workshop? Or do you need to Have one level living?
Now lets flavor it up with the 'Wants'.....What would spice it up for you? What are the things you would like have if thy were available and you could afford them? Large lot - workshop? Or Fancy Ensuite or jacuzzi? View?
Remember, the time you take to think about these things now will prove invaluable. Also remember that if you're purchasing with a Partner - you should both have your own lists - AND - then come together and jointly decide what your priorities are!
Later when you're trying to decide which home to purchase - and if there is more then one that you're considering - you can use the orginal version of the Ben Franklin close. This time you'll divide the page into two - and do Pro's and Con's.........it's effective this way too. And not so that a 'salesperson' can close you! But so you can identify the house for you! :-)
Oh and a Reminder - make sure that you've taken the time to have yourself pre-qualified - you want to know exactly how much you can afford and what it is that you choose to spend. Otherwise it doesn't really matter what your List says - if you find out later you can't afford it!
Take your lifestyle into account and the things that could enhance or detract from your daily enjoyment. Then add these preferences to your needs or wants shopping list.
It goes without saying that a Professional Realtor will help you through this process. If you're serious about buying your dream home call me! It's my business to help you make your home ownership dreams come true!
If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. All photos taken by Liz Moras and copywritten. Please do not use without permission. Information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive. It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd.
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