Let’s Dream About Your Next Home

If you are going to invest the time and money to move, you want to make sure you are doing it for the best possible home you can get. 

So, just for a moment, let’s DREAM BIG about what you want in your next home. Depending on your budget, you may or may not be able to get everything on your wishlist, but I can help you know what you may need to compromise on and what you can keep as “must-haves.” 

But, to do that, we need to go through the exercise of knowing what you ideally want and why BEFORE you start making any compromises. 

Here are some of the first questions to ask yourself (and the same ones I’ll be asking you too). Review the questions, and let’s start chatting about your real estate dreams and goals.

How long do I (we) want to live in this next home?

This is extremely important and has to be done FIRST—before you start looking online or spending your weekends’ house hopping! Your answer will help you figure out all of your “must-haves” and what you’re “willing to compromise on.”

What is the #1 driver of my (our) decision to move?

In other words, why do you want to move? Not only can your answer to this question help determine what you need in your next home, but it can also influence the timing of your move. 

For example, if you are moving because you need more bedrooms for a new family member on the way or moving to be in a particular school when your kids start in the fall, then we’ll have a deadline to meet. If you are moving just because you want more or less space, then the timing can be more flexible.

Picture your new home.

Describe what it looks like, where it is, what you are doing when you are hanging out at home. Describe it in as much detail as possible. What is most important to you as you picture living in your next home?

What don’t you like about your current home?

Maybe it’s lack of storage; maybe it’s not enough yard space. These are things that you aren’t moving FOR but want to make sure you aren’t constantly being annoyed about in your next home.

What do you need now that you didn’t before? What about 5 or 10 years from now (or however long you’ve decided you will own this next home)?

Everyone (and every family) are at different stages of their lives with evolving needs and wants. This next move should address any new and upcoming stages. Maybe now you need more space for entertaining, a home office, outdoor space to garden, a playroom, more bedrooms and bathrooms, more storage, better schools, a bigger kitchen. Maybe you are downsizing, and you need to make sure there are no stairs. Whatever YOU decide, make sure you’ve thought through everything that could possibly come up during the time period you plan on living in this next home. Also, don’t get caught up in what all your friends or any other family members say. Decide what’s right for you and only your immediate family and make your home-buying choices accordingly.

Answering these questions FIRST — before you ever spend a Sunday at open houses –will make the rest of this process much more effective and successful. 

Don’t feel like you have to have all the answers to these questions. My role is to help you work out your answers to these questions. I’m just giving you a sneak peek at what’s to come so you can start thinking and dreaming before we discuss them together. 

If you are ready, let’s schedule a time to chat and continue the conversation. I look forward to hearing from you.