BOB & LISA:  This is a very nice post to help qualify buyers.  I have put together my own home buyer worksheet as well.  I think that it helps people to realize what is most important to them.

Hi Adam,

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello.  We think it's so important to carve out a gameplan and stick to it as best one can.  Otherwise it becomes impossible to make a firm decision.

Do you find that even with their list, sometimes they see a house and buy it that was nothing on their list. If they have given me a list and we find the perfect house, I go back through their list, this is the right price, right location, has everything you said you needed. So what's the problem? Sometimes it still comes down to how they feel.

Great tips Lisa. I use a wants and needs sheet as well and it really helps narrow down the selections.

Hi Missy,

You are right!  Sounds like the making of our next post.:) Sometimes it is just that old feeling.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Moni,

It's a good way to start because sometimes buyers are floundering with indecision.  Thanks for stopping by to say hello.  Glad you're back safe and sound.

I will say location is generally everything. You can have a perfect home but if the location is horrible it can kill the deal. Your Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Expert, Heather Joubran

Hello Heather,

Yes, location is the best of all worlds.  However, if a buyer prefers to have the best inside the home and is willing to forgo location for house features, they have the right to make that choice too.  That's the beauty of the list.  By the way, you don't have to sign your comment.  It is automatically signed for you by AR.

I can relate to analysis paralysis because I had it as a buyer. I give the buyer some slack. They don't know what they don't know. They often don't know which towns they like because they haven't visited them. They don't know what style they like because they haven't seen them. They don't know their price range because they haven't been to a lender.

A Realtor can definitely guide them and select the Five Must Haves even though even these are subject to change over time. Buying a house is not a perfect process and despite great questions up front things STILL get off track.

I would come back and remind buyers that LOCATION in the end is very important and for them to carefully consider it despite everything else they like about a house.

Hi Gary,

Love that!  They don't know what they don't know.  Yes, this is so true but in areas where a large percentage of the homes are on main roads, the "location" mantra drops down to the bottom or even off the list.  Especially when people are looking in a lower price range.  There is, after all, a cost for everything - wouldn't you agree?  Hey thanks for stopping by and being part of this great network - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!