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How to Find Your Perfect Home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Homeowners

4 min read
Dylan Meade
Dylan Meade, Co-founder

Searching for your dream home can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. With so many factors to consider—location, budget, must-have features—it’s easy to get lost in the process. That’s why creating a clear, prioritized list of your Needs, Wants, and Dealbreakers is essential for staying organized and focused.

At Homebodiy, we’ve developed a free tool that guides you through creating this list and helps you kickstart your search with tailored results on Zillow. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process and share tips for finding the perfect home.

Step 1: Define Your Needs

Your Needs are non-negotiable. These are the features or attributes your future home must have for you to even consider it. Think of them as the foundation of your search.

Here are some common examples of needs:

  • Location: Is there a specific city, neighborhood, or school district you’re targeting?
  • Home Size: Minimum number of bedrooms or bathrooms.
  • Budget: Your maximum price point (including room for repairs or upgrades).
  • Accessibility: Proximity to work, public transportation, or other important locations.

🛠️ Tip: Use our House Hunter tool to capture your essential needs and apply them as filters directly on Zillow and Redfin.

Step 2: Identify Your Wants

Your Wants are nice-to-have features that would enhance your living experience but aren’t dealbreakers. These are the elements that add charm, style, or convenience to your new home.

Examples of wants:

  • A large backyard or outdoor space.
  • Modern kitchen with updated appliances.
  • Finished basement or bonus room.
  • Energy-efficient features, like solar panels or a smart thermostat.

Prioritizing your wants helps you focus on what’s most important, especially if you’re working within a limited budget. By separating needs from wants, you’ll know where to compromise if necessary.

Step 3: Outline Your Dealbreakers

Your Dealbreakers are the opposite of needs—they’re factors that would instantly disqualify a home from consideration. These might vary depending on your preferences, lifestyle, or long-term plans.

Common dealbreakers include:

  • Homes too far from work or schools.
  • High-maintenance properties that require significant repairs.
  • Layouts that don’t fit your family’s needs (e.g., no open floor plan).
  • Neighborhoods with limited access to amenities.

Identifying dealbreakers early saves you time and energy, preventing you from pursuing homes that won’t work in the long run.

Step 4: Use Tools to Simplify Your Search

Once you’ve outlined your needs, wants, and dealbreakers, the next step is to take action. This is where House Hunter's pre-filtered links come in.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Build Your List: Quickly create your personalized Needs, Wants, and Dealbreakers list using the intuitive tool.
  2. Generate Tailored Links: We’ll provide you with custom search links for Zillow and Redfin, pre-filtered based on your criteria.
  3. Start Browsing: Begin exploring homes that match your preferences, saving you hours of manual filtering and scrolling.

👉 Try House Hunter now to simplify your search and find your dream home faster.

Step 5: Stay Flexible and Informed

While it’s crucial to have a clear vision of your ideal home, flexibility is key. The market can be competitive, and you may need to adjust your expectations based on availability and budget.

  • Work with a Real Estate Agent: A knowledgeable agent can help you navigate the market and identify properties that align with your priorities.
  • Research Neighborhoods: Visit areas you’re interested in to get a feel for the community, amenities, and commute times.
  • Consider Future Needs: Think about how your home will serve you in the years ahead. Will it still fit your lifestyle if your family grows or your work situation changes?

Conclusion: Take the First Step Today

Finding your perfect home doesn’t have to be stressful. By clearly defining your Needs, Wants, and Dealbreakers and leveraging tools like the House Hunter, you can streamline the process and feel confident in your decisions.

Whether you’re just starting your search or refining your criteria, Homebodiy is here to support you every step of the way. Explore our other tools and resources designed to make homeownership more manageable and enjoyable.

👉 Ready to get started? Use the House Hunter tool now and take the first step toward finding your dream home.