Oh, the good ol' days . . . why I remember when I bought my first house and I had no list of ideas, no demands, no issues, no specifics I had to meet, it just had to be a house that I liked. I didn't have even financial restraints because everything was affordable and well within reach of any employed person.

Great suggestions to get first time buyers focused on their wants and needs.

Hi Karen- I was like Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents when we bought our first house.  I just wanted a house and we bought one my husband's company built.  It was after I'd lived in it for a while that I began making a must-have list for my next home. 

We must have looked at 60 houses before we found the perfect fit for our lifestyle then and future.  It was well worth the effort

Nice guidelines, Karen. The must-haves will win out and concessions can be made for the "like-to-haves but not essential". Personally, I fall into the category of "I'll know it when I see it". Happy selling in Orange County!

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner - having a real estate professional as the partner while buying a home takes away the stress!

Good morning Karen. This is thoughtful and very well done. Thinking really matters.

There are a lot of things that people look for in a home, but the basics really count. Nice post!

It iis a very exciting time and this is a great list that will help people prioritize the process.