You are ready to go home hunting …

To ensure an enjoyable and constructive experience, you need to be prepared. This requires some homework to really know your Needs vs your Wants.

Plan to set aside some quality time to brainstorm the expectations and features of your next home. Then make a list with two columns marked NEEDS and WANTS.

Now imagine walking through your new home room by room, envision each space, what does it contain, what do you Need, what do you Want?

Do you like to cook? How important is the size of the oven or whether the range is gas or electric? If the oven is too small Cornish hens may be on the menu at Thanksgiving, or you may not be able to use full size baking trays for that secret cookie recipe.

How much laundry do you have to wash each week? It’s easy to overlook the value of full size appliances if you want those king size sheets washed in one load.

Storage is a big one for condo owners, you may have seasonal items that have to be packed away, so a locker is important. If the condo doesn’t have a locker, would in-suite storage suffice? Consider everything you own and decide where things will go, the last thing you want to do is purchase a place that becomes overly cluttered because items don’t have a home.

Outdoor space is another factor to consider when making your list. Do you want a deck or a patio? Main level condos usually have a larger patio and potentially, a yard with great access for entertaining or kids and pets. How important is a property with a balcony? Do you like to BBQ? Do you wish to grow veggies or face a specific direction?

Is parking important or do you take the SkyTrain? You may want a property within a .5km radius of a station so it is an easy walk even on a Vancouver winter day. Do you want a private garage or is a parkade ok?

Hopefully this has provided some insight into what you should think about, and what is important to you. Other areas to consider may be your furniture and whether it will fit in certain rooms, closet space and fitness area. Remember, this is a work in progress, if you do the homework, you will know when you find the right home.

I’d love to help you walk through this process, please don’t hesitate to call

Shannon 604-828-9095