If you want to be snuggled into your new home for the holidays, it's time to make your list and check it twice.
To clarify your thinking, try a two column list:
Bones and Amenities
In the Bones column, outline the construction of the house you must have: Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, home layout, neighborhood (roughly), school district, new or old construction.
In some price ranges, certain features are a definite bones. If you watch television home buying shows, you know even buyers living in their mom's garage seem to demand quartz countertops. It is often portrayed as a deal breaker.
But should countertops really be a deal breaker? In your list of Bones, try to relegate decorative features to Amenities. If you found the perfect home, you could put in your own countertops.
After that, ask yourself what features (or amenities) you want to have in the house.
It's surprising but true that people answer that question about amenities differently, depending on their ages.
Younger buyers are often looking for smart homes. They want homes that lock up, light up, heat up, and cool up at the touch of a button on an app.
Lots of people are looking for custom closets with shelves, drawers and fancy shoe racks, but especially the younger crowd.
Space is popular. Man caves, movie rooms top the list of amenities that men want. Both men and women want space for home offices. About 75 percent of buyers want first floor laundry rooms, with 25 percent favoring second floor laundry rooms.
As you look around, try to ignore paint and decor. You will do your own.
If you really want or need to buy a home, sooner would be better than later, and you could still have time to put up that Christmas tree before holiday company arrives. But make the list now!
