Home Buying Guide: How to Define Search Criteria

One of the first steps in the Home Buying Process is to Define Your Search Criteria.  An example of what your  KW Selling Team agent will ask is:

THE BASICS

1. What part of town/area do you want to live in? (Grand Ledge/ Waverly, DeWitt, St. Johns, Mason, Holt/ Dimondale, Okemos, Haslett, East Lansing, Lansing, ect.)
2. What price range do you feel comfortable purchasing in?
• How are you purchasing: cash or financing?
3. Are schools a factor?
4. Do you want an older home or newer home?
5. Do you have any physical needs that must be met, such as wheelchair access?
6. Do you have any animals that will require special facilities?

TYPE OF HOMES

1. What kind of houses would you like to see?
• One Story (Ranch)
• 2 Story
• Bi-Level
• Tri-Level
• Townhouse or Condo
• Manufactured or Modular
2. How much renovation would you be willing to do?
• Moderate to A Lot
• None
3. Are you looking for foreclosures, short sales, "just a good deal" or new builds?

THE LOT

• Large Yard: 1-2 Acre
• Small Yard: < 1/2 Acre
• Land: 2-5 Acres or 5+
• Fenced
• Garage
• Patio/Deck
• Pool
• Out Buildings
• River, Lake, Pond Frontage
• Wooded

THE INTERIOR

1. How many bedrooms MUST you have?
2. How many full bathrooms MUST you have?
3. How big would you like your house to be (square feet)?
4. What features do you want to have in your house?
• Air Conditioning
• Formal Dining Room
• Basement (full/ partial or day/ walk out and finished/ partially finished)
• First Floor Laundry
• Fireplace