One of the first steps in your home search is to decide what features and amenities to look for. Know your “must haves”—the criteria you won't compromise on. But don't be surprised if you find yourself bending these “rules” to find the home that's your best fit!

Using a Checklist

The following chart can help you decide what you—and your family members—are looking for in a home. First, have everyone in your family list their preferences (number of bedrooms, deck, etc.) Then compare notes and discuss which items are “must haves” and which are negotiable. As you visit open houses, you can check off which criteria each home meets.

Home Search Checklist

	Feature	Memo
❑	House Style:
❑	Number of Levels:
❑	Number of Bedrooms:
❑	Number of Bathrooms:
❑	Gourmet Kitchen
❑	Formal Dining Room
❑	Breakfast Nook
❑	Master Bath
❑	Walk-in closets
❑	Fireplace
❑	Basement
❑	Garage
❑	Porch or Deck
❑	Fenced Yard
❑	Large Yard
❑	Swimming Pool
❑	Storage Room
❑	Storage Shed