Wants Vs. Needs checklist for your next home
It’s easy to create a long list of everything you would love to have in your next home. Maybe you want a large kitchen, a spacious primary suite, a home office, a big backyard, a garage, beautiful finishes, perhaps even a view!
The problem is that most home buyers eventually discover that finding a home with everything on their wish list can be difficult, especially when your budget and the current real estate market have to be considered.
It sounds simple, but taking the time to think through what you truly need in a home can make the entire buying process easier. It can also help you make better decisions when you find a home that may not have every feature you originally imagined but meets the things that matter most.
A need is something essential for a home to work for your lifestyle. These are the features or circumstances that may be difficult to compromise on.
Location is often one of the most important needs for home buyers. If you work at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, your commute may be one of the biggest factors in deciding where to live. Same if you work in Tacoma, commute to Seattle, or travel between Pierce and King Counties regularly. The location of your home can have a significant impact on your daily life.
The goal is to identify the things that truly affect how you live in your home, not simply the things you would enjoy having.
Why Separating Wants and Needs Matters in the Pierce County Real Estate Market
Most home buyers have a budget. Most also have a preferred location, a desired commute, and a general idea of the type of home they want.
Eventually, many buyers have to make some kind of compromise.
The more clearly you understand your priorities before you start looking at homes for sale in Pierce County, the easier it becomes to make thoughtful decisions when a home does not check every box.
You may begin your search wanting a large home, a big yard, a three-car garage, new construction, and a gourmet kitchen. After considering your budget and how you actually live, you may realize that having the right location and enough bedrooms is more important than having a brand-new kitchen.
That does not mean you are settling.
It means you are making a conscious decision about what matters most.
Consider What Can Be Changed After You Buy a Home
One of the best ways to prioritize your wants and needs is to think about whether something can be changed later.
Paint, light fixtures, flooring, cabinet hardware, landscaping, and some kitchen finishes can often be updated over time. These improvements may take time and money, but they are generally changeable.
Other things are much more difficult to change.
You cannot move your home to a different neighborhood. You cannot change your commute. You cannot easily change the surrounding community or the size of the lot.
This is especially important when you're comparing communities throughout Pierce County. The experience of living in Tacoma may be very different from living in Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, University Place, Bonney Lake, Sumner, or another nearby community.
Each area offers something different, and the best place to live depends on your lifestyle, budget, commute, and priorities.
You can update a kitchen.
You can change the paint color.
You can improve the landscaping.
You cannot move the house to a different location.
