as seen on realestate.com.au – How to maximise your search to find your dream home
Everyone has that dream home they hope to find one day, which ticks all the boxes in terms of location, amenities and style. But the key question is – does it really exist?
Melbourne-based licensed real estate agent and buyers advocate, Cate Bakos, offers her guidance on how to search for a property and weigh up the importance of all your dream home criteria.
Decide what’s most important to you
For some, life is all about catching up with friends, going out to eat at great local restaurants and spending less time commuting to work.
Others may simply want to live close to their family.
People with children may want a specific number of bedrooms or a large backyard.
Those who love a distinct architectural style will likely prioritise a particular era while looking for their ideal home.
We’re all different, and tapping into what you love and what you need is key before buying somewhere.
Making sure your property search is tailored to you from the offset – as well as realistic – can save you months, if not years, of wasted weekends. I’ve met so many home-buyers who’ve squandered so much of their free time inspecting properties exceeding their budget. 
The search and the compromise
Once you’ve decided on your budget limit, it’s time to focus on the search.
This is where things can get interesting, as this is the part of the process that requires two people to agree – cue quarrels and compromise.
If you’re buying with a partner, one of you might want a modern kitchen and granny flat while the other may have a hankering for a hot tub and powered shed. Each to their own.
Sitting down and writing a list of “must-have” vs “nice-to-have” together will hopefully help you both be on the same page before you start hitting open inspections.
Break it down…property searches are made up of these essential elements:
-Price range/limit
-Location (or suburbs)
-Dwelling size, style and era
-Plot size
Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the vital must haves, especially if your property search starts to drag on and you become disheartened.
However, it’s worth noting that completely over-compromising and buying somewhere not fully suitable often ends up with the property being re-listed for sale within a short time and you packing up and moving – again.