Let’s get down to the nitty gritty and get very specific about what you need and want in your new home and plan it out. What I want you to do is have everyone who will be living in the new home answer the following questions. Have each person write their answers on a plain sheet of paper.
To do this I’m going to ask you a series of questions. Are you ready? Let’s start:
• How many bedrooms do you need?
• How many bathrooms do you need?
• How big does the master bedroom need to be? And does it need to be on the first floor?
• How big do the other bedrooms need to be?
• What type of kitchen do you need based on your lifestyle?
• Do you want a separate living room or do you prefer a great room that merges rooms together?
• Do you need a separate laundry room?
• Do you need a guest bedroom?
• Do you need a home office?
• How much space do you need for storage?
• Do you need a basement? And do you want it finished?
• How large of a garage do you need?
• What other rooms are important to your lifestyle?
• What type of outdoor living space do you need? Porch, screened room, etc.?
• And what else comes to mind for you?
Now let’s talk for a minute about your lifestyle. Again, everyone should participate and write down their answers.
• How do you want to live? Are you more comfortable in smaller intimate spaces or larger open spaces?
• Do you enjoy cooking?
• Do you like to entertain?
• Do you have a lot of guests staying over?
• Do you love to relax and watch movies?
• Do you like to exercise?
• Do you work out of the home?
• Do you need an area for the kids to blow off steam?
• Does anyone have special needs?
• Do you have a hobby or collection that needs space?
• List anything else that comes to mind.
Now that you have a list of wants wished for in your new home review it and refine it. At this point you can’t start planning out your floor plan.
Good luck in your new home endeavors.