Which Neighborhood?

First of all, if you want to find the perfect home, you need to take into account more than just the home itself.  You also need to find the right neighborhood in the right location.

Location is not only important for you as you choose the home you are buying now, but it is also critical if you plan to re-sale your home sometime in the future.  Location is one of the biggest factors that will impact the appreciation on your home.

Things to consider when choosing your neighborhood:

• Do you want to be in a gated community?
• Do you want to be in a golf community?
• Do you want to be close to the beach?
• Do you want a single-family home, coach home or a condo?
• Do you want new construction or a re-sale home?
• Do you want to be close to of in downtown?
• Do you want to be in a retirement community?
• Do you want to be in a family neighborhood?
• Do you want to be in an active community?
• Do you want to be close to healthcare?
• Do you want to be close to dining and shopping?
• Do you want to have easy access to loved ones?
• Is this going to be your last home or do you plan to sell in the future?

Location Considerations: Rate items from 1-10 with 1 being the most important.

____ Neighborhood

____ Re-Sale vs. New Construction

____ Gated Community

____ Golf

____ Beach

____ Shopping

____ Dining

____ Pet Friendly

____ Healthcare

____ Expressway Access

____ Demographics (young community, older community or either is okay)

____ Other________________

Community Amenities: Rate items from 1-10 with 1 being the most important.

____ Golf

____ Beach Access

____ Resort Style Pool

____ Fitness Center

____ Spa

____ Tennis

____ Pickleball

____ Bocce Ball

____ Walking Trails

____ Dog Park

____ Dining

What Are The Top Home Features On Your Homebuyer Checklist?

First, what home features are most important to you? Second, which ones are most important and which are least important.

Here’s a list of questions to keep in mind when choosing your dream home:

• Do you want to entertain?
• Do you want an open floor plan?
• Do you want to park in a two-car garage?
• Do you want a backyard where your dog can play?
• Do you want a pool? What about a spa?

Property considerations: Rate your top 10 criteria with 1 being the most important.

____ Single-family home

____ Townhome/Coach Home

____ Condo

____ Re-Sale vs. New Construction

____ Fixer-upper

____ Rental Home

____ Garage

____ Patio/Lanai

____ Golf View

____ Water View

____ Expandability

____ Energy efficient/utility costs

____ Concrete Construction

____ Wood Frame construction

____ Single floor or multi-level

____ Recreation facilities

____ Pool

____ Spa

What About Interior Feature For Your Homebuyer Checklist?

Here is a list of interior considerations for your ideal home or condo.

____ #Bedrooms

____ #Bathrooms

____ Master Bedroom

____ Master bath

____ Closets

____ Eat-in Kitchen

____ Gourmet Kitchen

____ New appliances

____ Dining Area/ Room

____ Den

____ Home Office

____ Flooring

____ Open Shower

____ Whirlpool bath

____ Foyer/entryway

____ Ceiling height

____ Central air

____ Central heat

____ Lighting

____ Hurricane Impact Windows

Golf Community Criteria For Your Home Buyer Check List:

So, you’ve decided you want to live in a golf community.  What are the key features and benefits the community needs to include to suit your lifestyle? Identify your top 10 criteria with 1 being the most important.

____ One Time Initiation Fee or Equity Golf Community

____ Bundled Golf Community

____ Number of golf courses

____ Structured Tee Times (e.g. Chelsea System)

____ Open Tee Times

____ Quality of Golf Course

____ Challenging Golf Course

____ Easy Golf Course

____ Practice Facilities

____ Own your own golf cart

____ Caddies available

____ Clubhouse

____ Dining

Now that you’ve completed all preliminary steps on the homebuyer checklist, you’re ready to start searching. Also, be sure to print a copy of your list to for you and your agent.

Finally, consider which items you would compromise on if you have to.  In an ideal world you would get everything you want.  However, unless you have unlimited funds and there are a ton of properties on the market, you may have to may have to decide what you could live without. Or, another option is to determine what you might be able to add or fix after you purchase your home or condo.

Download Homebuyer Checklist