Once you decide to buy your home, you’ll need to think about some questions to ask yourself that can help determine what type of home that you really want.  You’ll see a lot of different homes in the search process so if you can narrow down your list of criteria at the beginning you can save yourself and your realtor some valuable time.  You should begin by checking out some magazines that feature homes, their interiors, and how they are designed.  You can cut out pictures or copy them from an online site, make your own notebook, and keep an accurate record of what appeals to you. 

Ask yourself some of the following questions to begin making your search more focused.

•    Where do you want to live?  You’ll have to consider school districts if you have children and also decide if you want city or country living to accommodate your individual preferences.

•    What type of home do you want?  This could be anything from a condo to a townhome to a beachfront property for your retirement years.

•    What type of community would you prefer?  You’ll want to think about how close the schools, hospitals, and other businesses are that you’ll use on a regular basis.  Consider the post office location, grocery stores, airports, and community activities in which you’d like to participate.

•    Determine the number of bedrooms that you need, the number of baths that you prefer, and if you want to have a home office.  Many professionals today are working from home which requires space for equipment and furniture needed to get the job done.

•    Think about the special features that you want your home to have. Do you like 9’ ceilings, granite counter tops, open floor plans, or sunrooms that add another living space to your home?  You’ll want to think about your master suite and whether you’d prefer it to be on the first or second floor.  Also consider where your children’s bedrooms will be in relation to yours.

By going online, a reputable REALTOR will have snapshots of his properties, credible descriptions, and other pertinent information that you’ll need to make an informed decision.  When you have questions about schools for your children or civic clubs with which you are affiliated you can easily contact your REALTOR to ascertain the answers to these concerns.  Look for a realtor’s website that is fully developed with pictures and descriptions of the communities in which his listings are located.  Finding a trusted professional who provides you with all of the details of communities and the properties will be a valuable asset to have as you make your decision about a new home.