買房時分清'NEED'和'WANT'

很多第一次買房的同學開始多少都有點感覺沒有頭緒，選擇什麽地方？房子選什麽樣的style？房屋結構要什麽樣的？我這裏有一份以前保存的house hunting checklist, 可以幫助買房的同學分清哪些是必須的，哪些是想要的。同時，也要考慮到今天的需要和明天將來的需要，比如，家庭成員的增加或有老人搬來同住等等。換房的同學多半對這些問題都有比較清晰的回答，不過歸納一下可能目標更明確一些。

N: Need
W: Want
DW: Don’t want

N	W	DW	TYPE
			Single-family
			Townhome
			Condo
			New
			Existing

N	W	DW	LOCATION
			Central city
			Suburbs
			Outlying
			Away from heavy traffic
			NEAR
			Job
			Schools
			Parks
			Public transportation
			Airport
			Expressway
			Neighborhood shopping
			Regional mall
			Entertainment/restaurants/theaters

N	W	DW	CONDITION
			Well kept
			Fixer-upper
			Needs minor work

N	W	DW	STYLE
			Traditional
			Contemporary
			Ranch
			Two-story
			Tudor
			Victorian
			Split-level
			Colonial
			Other

N	W	DW	EXTERIOR
			Brick
			Stucco
			Aluminum siding
			Vinyl siding
			Wood frame

N	W	DW	SYSTEMS
			Boiler, furnace, oil tank (circle preferred system)
			Central air conditioning
			Security
			Internet/cable ready

N	W	DW	FLOOR PLAN
			Basement
			Finished basement
			Attic
			Formal foyer
			Formal living room
			Great room
			Family room
			Formal dining room
			Office
			Media room/rec room
			Mud room/laundry room

N	W	DW	BATHROOMS
			Number: ____________
			Shower
			Tub
			Double sinks
			Dressing area

N	W	DW	BEDROOMS
			Number: _____________
			Master suite
			First-floor master suite
			Rooms for future children/elderly relatives

N	W	DW	KITCHEN
			Countertop materials: _____________
			New appliances
			Eating area
			Desk area
			Pantry
			Center island

N	W	DW	GARAGE/PARKING
			Size: ___________
			Street parking
			Paved driveway
			Reserved or deeded spot (for condos)

N	W	DW	SPECIAL FEATURES
			INTERIOR
			Fireplace
			Vaulted ceilings
			High ceilings
			Wood floors
			Built-in cabinets
			Big closets
			Extra storage space
			First/second-floor laundry
			EXTERIOR
			Good view
			Natural light
			Backyard
			Garden
			Play area
			Screened porch
			Patio/deck
			Barbecue area
			Outdoor lighting
			Fenced yard
			Mature trees
			Mature shrubs
			Maintenance provided by a homeowners association
			COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD
			Highly-rated schools
			Swimming pool
			Tennis courts
			Golf course
			Parks
			Park programs/activities
			Health clubs
			Sidewalks
			Local college
			LIFESTYLE
			Kid-friendly spaces
			Room for older parents
			Sport/basketball court
			Room for guests/entertaining

Sources: Gail G. Lyons, ABR, CRS, Boulder Real Estate Services Ltd./Realty Executives, Boulder, Colo., and REALTOR® Magazine