If you’re planning to embark on the exciting process of buying a home in Metro Vancouver, it’s crucial to be well-prepared.

One of the first and most important steps in this process is defining your needs and wants.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a checklist that will not only help you find your dream home but also communicate effectively with your Metro Vancouver Realtor.

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Needs & Your Wants

When thinking of the home you’re going to buy, there will be things you’ll need to have, and others items you only want.

It’s important to be both realistic with what you can buy in the market you’re looking in, while also making sure you get the property that checks off all your needs and ideally your wants. Use the following categories to help you break down and understand what is a want and what is a need.

Keep Budget Top of Mind

While you may think you need or want several things for your next home, make sure you’re sticking to your budget so the list is realistic and attainable.

Type of Property

Determine what type of property you need and want. For instance, you may need a condo, but want a townhouse if the price is right. Here are the different residential property types to consider:

  • Single-family detached;
  • Duplex;
  • Multifamily with rental units;
  • Condo;
  • Loft;
  • Single story or no stairs;
  • Co-op apartment.

Recommended Reading: [Guide] Choosing Re-Sale vs New Construction Property

Location, Location, Location

Location is paramount when buying a home in the lower mainland. There are several different cities you can choose to live in. You’ll also need to consider the location and proximity from work. Schools, shopping. Walking paths, and more.

Tip: Need help learning about each one? Check out our local area guides on each city in Metro Vancouver.

Proximity to Work or School

  • How far are you willing to commute?
  • Are public transportation options essential?

Neighbourhood Amenities and Safety

  • What amenities (parks, restaurants, schools) do you want nearby?
  • What are your safety priorities?
  • What about family priorities?

Other location needs

  • What kind of view do you want?
  • Do you want the home to face a certain direction?
  • Access to the Waterfront?
  • Quiet street?
  • Cul-de-sac?
  • Walking neighbourhood?
  • Airport accessibility?

Size and Space

Determining the right size and space for your new home is crucial. You’ll want to consider the size and space you’ll need for the various aspects of your life.

For instance, if you’re big into cooking, a large kitchen may be a need, while a home office may be only a want. While a remote-worker will need a home office, but may not see value in a large dynamic kitchen.

Ideal Square Footage

  • How much space do you need for your family or lifestyle?
  • Are you downsizing or upsizing?
  • Do you want a balcony? What is the ideal size?

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you require?
  • Do you need a guest room or home office?

Kitchen

  • What size kitchen do you want?
  • What kind of appliances or kitchen features do you want?

Dens and Other Rooms & Features

Do you need other rooms in your home?

  • Formal living room
  • Eat-in kitchen
  • Walk-in closets
  • Attic
  • Home Office
  • Finished Basement
  • Open plan
  • Formal dining room
  • Laundry room
  • Screened Porch
  • Master suite with bath

Parking

  • What kind of parking will you need?
  • How many parking spaces will you require?

Outdoor Spaces

There are many outdoor spaces to consider, as well:

  • Fenced yard
  • Yard
  • Deck
  • Automatic sprinklers
  • Covered porch
  • Pool
  • Outbuildings
  • Courtyard
  • Patio
  • Gardens, landscaping or trees
  • Expansive backyard,
  • Inground Pool, etc.

Heating and Cooling

While a warm home in the winter and a cool home in the summer is a need, how do you want to achieve this? For instance, do you need a central air system? Or do more natural heating and cooling methods work? You’ll need to think about this for your checklist.

Here are some heating and cooling options for your property to consider:

  • Radiant heat;
  • Central air;
  • Propane or natural gas;
  • Electric;
  • Fireplace;
  • Pellet stove or wood;
  • Fireplace with insert.

Architectural Style

Here is the section in the checklist where you’ll define the architectural style for your next home. Consider your preferences for the style of your new home:

Home Styles

  • Modern, traditional, or something else?
  • Unique architectural features you desire.
  • Heritage homes?

Exterior Features

Determine your preference for how you’d like the home exterior to look:

  • Wood;
  • Shingle;
  • Stucco;
  • Stone;
  • Brick;
  • Low Maintenance.

Amenities and Features

There is a wide range of amenities to think about when dreaming of your next home. If you’re thinking of moving into a condo or house, there can be a wide range of options to think about for any property type. Think about the features that will make your new home special:

Building Amenities

If you’re going to be living in an apartment or condo, there could be some great building amenities to keep in mind:

  • Pool;
  • Sauna;
  • Party Rooms;
  • Guest rooms;
  • Basketball / Squash courts;
  • Concierge Services
  • Shared building car;
  • Storage space;
  • Etc.

Outdoor Amenities

If you’re moving to a townhouse or a single-family home, there could be some fun outdoor amenities to add to your list:

  • Outdoor pool;
  • Kids playground;
  • Front lawn;
  • Long & winding driveway;
  • Etc.

Future-Proofing Your Home

Plan for the long term. Whether that’s building a family, thinking about energy usage, and the rise of home technology.

Life Changes

  • Are you going to start a family here?
  • Do you need space for pets?
  • Will other family members be moving in later?

Energy Efficiency and Smart Home Technology

Do you want integrated smart home technology?

Do you want energy efficient appliances and infrastructure?

  • Programmable thermostats;
  • Dual or triple pane windows;
  • Solar panels;
  • Solar ready;
  • Air sealing and insulation;
  • Energy star appliances;
  • Heat-pump water heater;
  • Low-flow toilets;
  • Tankless water heater.

Recommended Reading: [2023] Top Questions to Ask When Buying a Home in BC

Adjusting and Prioritizing

Having a prioritized needs and wants list for your next home will help you and your Realtor find the perfect property.

Step 1: Make a copy of your list

With your list written out, make a copy and go through this list a second time. The goal here will be to prioritize your top needs and wants. This will leave some items at the bottom of the list that may become a compromise if everything in the list cannot be met for some reason.

Understanding this will help you make decisions about some of the trade offs you may have to make if you find a property you absolutely love, but doesn’t have all your Wants covered.

Step 2: Make sure your list is realistic

Now take the list and go through it a second time. Are there any unrealistic needs or wants listed that either don’t fit the budget, area you’re moving to, etc. ? For example, if you’re moving to a condo in Downtown Vancouver, having solar power may not be something that could be a need or a want given the infrastructure.

Step 3: Final Review and Sharing With Your Realtor

Now that the list is prioritized and realistic for your lifestyle, share it with your Realtor so they can begin narrowing down properties on the market for you to go check out!

Adapting Along the Way

The real estate market is always changing, with new homes being listed and others being sold on a daily basis. There are also changes to the market as a whole, such as interest rate changes, new regulations (like the Cooling-Off Period), and more.

There could be properties that come up that actually change your outlook from your needs and wants. For example, let’s say you view a townhouse that has an amazing yard. A yard wasn’t previously listed on your wants or needs, but after seeing it you realize you really want a yard. So your list has changed, and other needs / wants may have to change in order to get that property.

And of course, if you’re buying with a partner or spouse, they will also have needs and wants that will need to be met and balanced with your own list.

Final Thoughts for Home Buyers

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-prepared to build a home buying checklist tailored to your unique needs and wants, ensuring a more successful and satisfying experience in the competitive Metro Vancouver real estate market. Your dream home awaits, and this checklist will help you find it. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us and start your home buying journey.