Needs versus Wants: make a list

When it comes to buying a home the choices are unbelievable! Before you begin, help yourself and help your agent by making a list of your absolute needs. Be careful not to confuse your needs with strong desires! Just doing this will weed out hundreds of homes that just do not fit. This will save countless hours and lots of gas!! Once you have your basic needs list, then make another list of desires ranking them from "strong" to "would like". This will help you and your agent (preferably me!) get started with ease. The list are not concrete and will evolve. Just be sure to keep me (or your agent) involved as your needs "evolve"!

Caution: Some needs and wants come with a hidden cost! Pools, acreage and those soaring ceilings you desire can sometimes add considerably to maintenance and utility cost. In Haciendas del Norte people have 3 acre lots that look very attractive,...but most have a minimum 1 acre for a reason! It's called Septic System! That is additional yearly cost as well.

Always hire an experienced person to view the type of property you are looking for. If they don't know the difference between a portapot and a portecochere or a stock tank versus a septic tank....you should probably find someone that does! Good Luck!