How to Create a Homebuyer’s Wishlist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Embarking on the journey of buying a new home is an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience. It’s a significant milestone, and it’s crucial to make the right choices.

Whether your heart is set on a charming family home or a high-rise condo with a panoramic view, having a well-defined wishlist can make the buying process easier and elevate the thrill of the search.

Both first-time homebuyers and seasoned property seekers should carry a wishlist during their house hunt. This not only helps in determining if potential homes meet your specific needs but also in prioritizing your preferences.

When crafting your wishlist, reflect on the pros and cons of your current living space, desired style and aesthetics, functional layout, and optimal location. Here are some key aspects to contemplate:

What works and doesn’t work for you?

Take a tour around your home and create a list of likes and dislikes. You might find you don’t have enough storage space, but you like how the windows let in lots of natural light.

Walk around your home to find similar issues or highlights about the backyard, view, and anything else important to you and your family.

How Do You Feel About Your Current Type of Home?

crop couple holding paper house

Are you ready to move on to another type of home? There are several types of homes that can be found in Canada. These types are:

  • Detached: These are standalone houses not connected to any other structures.
  • Semi-detached: These are two houses joined together by a common wall.
  • Townhouses: These are narrow and tall homes that are typically part of a row of similar houses.
  • Bungalows: These are single-story homes with a low, wide profile.
  • Split-level: These have multiple levels, with some floors partially between others.
  • Duplexes: These are residential buildings divided into two separate living units.
  • Triplexes: These are residential buildings divided into three separate living units.
  • Fourplexes: These are residential buildings divided into four separate living units.

Style

The perfect home for first-time homebuyers.

The most common Canadian architectural styles found in homes are the:

  • Gothic Style: These feature pointed arches, intricate ornamentation, and dramatic vertical lines, evoking a sense of medieval architecture.
  • Victorian: These are characterized by elaborate details, decorative trim, steep roofs, and multiple stories, reflecting the architectural style popular during the reign of Queen Victoria.
  • Tudor: These showcase half-timbering, steeply pitched roofs, and tall chimneys, reminiscent of medieval English architecture during the Tudor period.
  • Craftsman: These emphasize natural materials, handcrafted details, and a harmonious connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, embodying the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement.
  • Modern: These prioritize simplicity, clean lines, and open floor plans, often featuring large windows, minimal ornamentation, and a focus on functionality and efficiency.

Rooms

If you enjoy hosting friends and family, or if you have plans to expand the family, you might need bonus spaces to act as a guest room.

As layouts become more flexible, ask if your bedroom needs a bathroom attached to it or not.

With the rules of social distancing, many businesses have shifted to a hybrid work model. People who work from home will need a dedicated office space.

Also, look at how big you want the rooms. What kind of furniture do you want? Do you want a desk, drawers, or sofas? Either way, consider how many rooms you will need and for what purpose.

Layout

A set of floor plans detailing the layout of a home

Have a rough estimate of how much square footage you need. Look at how much time you will spend in each room and for what purpose. This will help you figure out your priorities.

For example, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. It’s where the majority of dining and casual socialization takes place.

Will you be spending a lot of time at home cooking, or would you rather dine out? How much space should your kitchen occupy?

Take a look around your current home to see if the storage space is adequate or not.

Garage

Ask yourself if you need a garage. Is it used for cars, or will you convert it into a workshop? How many cars will be kept inside? Do you need a single-door garage or a double-door?

What about the driveway? Do you need a lot of space or just enough to park the cars?

Many families today appreciate garages that can store at least two vehicles and still have room for storage.

Outdoor Space

Beautiful backyard with a nice patio set.

If you enjoy lawn care, gardening, having pets, or playing outdoors, a larger backyard will be a better fit for you. It’s great for when you have guests over and enjoy lounging outside or hosting a friendly BBQ.

Examine the space to see if a patio or deck is possible. But if you don’t enjoy the upkeep or are strapped for time, consider a smaller, low-maintenance yard.

Don’t forget to see if fences are already built, or you will have to adjust your budget to include fences.

Location

Location is one of the deciding factors in finalizing your decision. Do you prefer something nearer the heart of the city, or do you enjoy the peace and quiet of a more suburban area?

Homes should be within a convenient distance from important places. See if the location is within close proximity to hospitals, grocery stores, public transportation, gyms, etc.

If you love trying out new food, look at restaurants in the area. We’d all love to dine at more than a McDonald’s every now and then.

Schools will also play a major role in families. You’ll want to consider what kind of school your child needs. So, look into schools’ reputation, curriculum, and class size.

Neighbourhoods

Since you’ll be staying for the long term, it’s important to look at the best neighbourhoods in the city you are considering. You’ll have to see if you prefer a neighbourhood with no traffic or average traffic.

How child-friendly is it? Would you stay in one with an older population or with younger neighbours? These are options you should consider while building up your homebuyer’s wishlist.

Private Spaces

Consider the necessity of private spaces in your new home. These could range from home offices to personal libraries or even a secluded garden nook.

How much privacy do you require, and how can it be incorporated into your future residence?

Green Space

Evaluate the importance of green space around your future home. Do you envision a sprawling backyard for gardening or a small patio for morning coffee?

Green spaces not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to mental well-being.

Buying Process

Reflect on your past experiences and expectations for the buying process.

Do you prefer a traditional approach with a real estate agent or an online platform? Understanding your comfort level and expectations can make the buying process smoother and more enjoyable.

Wrapping Up: Your Homebuyer’s Wishlist Made Easy

homebuyers guide real estate

When creating your home buyer’s wishlist, write down your needs and wants. After then, prioritize them from most important to least important. The same goes for dislikes, including things from “absolutely avoid” to “not-too-terrible.”

Share the list with your real estate agent along with a price range so they can help you find the dream home you’ve always wanted.

If you already own a house and planning to sell it, contact me for a free home evaluation to know the current value of your property.

I understand that the process can feel a bit overwhelming at times. So, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’ll be more than happy to help you find the perfect home today!

Amrit Hunjan

Amrit Hunjan

Founder/Realtor® Team Lead/CIR REALTY Edmonton Owner

Hi there! I’m Amrit Hunjan, formerly a house builder, now a real estate agent. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing in real estate, I’m here to assist you.

With a passion for helping others and a knack for problem-solving, I thoroughly enjoy working with people. Seeing the excitement in my clients’ eyes when they achieve their real estate goals is incredibly rewarding.

My background in construction, coupled with my civil engineering tech diploma, provides me with valuable insights into the real estate industry. I’ve been recognized for my achievements, including the Rookie of the Year Award in 2018 and the 2019-2020 Platinum Award.

If you need assistance with property inspections or want my expert opinion, I’m here to help. Let me know your specific requirements, and together, we’ll find your dream home, whether it’s in Edmonton or anywhere else in the world.

Categories

Popular Articles

Recent article from our blog