Separating your must haves from the ones you can live without.

Just as you wouldn't head out to do your family dinner groceries without a list, you shouldn't start looking at houses before you know for sure what you want and need in a home. Focus your home search early on by writing out the features your new house absolutely must have, and those features that, while nice to have, are not necessarily deal breakers. The basics; these are features every prospective home buyer must consider. Determine which ones you're dead-set on, and which ones could go either way.  Cost is a very important factor; knowing your budget will help you decide which of your desired home features should stay on your shortlist. Remember decent plumbing, electricity and heating / air conditioning fall into the group of home buying must haves