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The
first thing you should do is to begin focusing on what you're looking
for in a home. You can start by establishing priorities in the following
three areas:
Location:
Are you relocating to a new town because of a new job or to be closer to
your current job? How will the location of schools, shops, and
transportation affect your choice of neighborhood?
Personal
Tastes:
How large of a home do you need? What style of architecture do you
prefer? What type of lot do you prefer? Depending on where you move to,
you may have a choice of homes in dozens of styles, sizes, and settings.
Budget:
How much home can you comfortably afford?
As you
consider these issues, do a little research of your own. Look through
magazines for ideas about home styles and features. Drive through
neighborhoods that appeal to you to see what's available. Read the real
estate listings
in the newspaper to learn about current prices in the areas you're
considering. Talk to friends about the features that you'd really like
to have in your home. The more knowledgeable you become, the better your
final decision is likely to be.
Then sit
down and consider carefully all the things you're looking for in a home.
The Homebuyer's Wish List worksheet later in this section is a good
starting point. When you've filled it out, you'll begin to get a good
idea of what you'd like your dream home to be. | 
