Hillsboro Office 217-532-2525 | Litchfield Office 217-324-4663

Central IL Homes for SaleCentral IL Homes for Sale

  • Home
  • Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Hot Property Alerts
    • Map Search
    • Upcoming Auctions
    • Address Search
    • Trending Searches
    • My Account
  • Featured
    • Our Featured Properties
    • Our Featured Auctions
    • Open Houses
    • Virtual Tours
    • Current Solds
    • Schools
  • Areas
    • Hillsboro
    • Litchfield
    • Coffeen
    • Witt
    • Nokomis
    • Taylor Springs
    • Irving
    • Panama
    • Donnellson
    • Raymond
    • See All
  • Buy
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Home Buyer Checklist
    • Local Links
    • Resources
  • Sell
    • What’s Your Home Worth?
    • Selling your Home at Auction
    • Seller Tips and Tools
    • Marketing Your Home
  • Rent
    • View all Rentals
    • Landlord List
  • Auctions
    • Upcoming Auctions
    • Selling your Home at Auction
    • Find out More!
  • Appraisals
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Agents
    • Client Reviews
    • Blog

The ‘Must Have’ List: Why Deciding Your Must-Haves Before Viewing Homes is a Great Idea

The 'Must Have' List: Why Deciding Your Must-Haves Before Viewing Homes is a Great IdeaKnowing what you want before you start looking is a big help when house-hunting. Giving the list of ‘must-have’ items to your real estate professional a few days before you begin touring listings is a great idea because they can find homes that meet as many of your criteria as possible.

It also helps on a more personal level, since being organized and knowing what you want will help you quickly identify whether or not homes meet those standards.

Is it a ‘Must-Have’ or a ‘Nice-to-Have’?

The debate between “I need it” and “I want it” is as old as time. Thinking back to childhood, when the desire for a cookie was met with mom’s stern “not before dinner,” some children seem to develop a magical ability for reasoning that voiced a desperate need for cookies before dinner, but mom was never fooled. The same goes for the ‘must-have’ list for your home search.

There are items that you want and certain ‘deal breakers’ that you cannot live without. An absolute ‘must-have’ might be proximity to work or certain schools, whereas desirable features could include a shed or a built-in barbeque pit. Knowing the difference between something you want and something that is absolutely required can save you a lot of time and money.

How to Organize an Effective List

Write down everything your dream home would have, then ask yourself how necessary each item is. Rate them by priority, whether an absolute requirement, something you would definitely prefer, something for which you would consider a compromise, and something that you don’t really care that strongly about. That first group is your ‘must-have’ list. The second is your ‘nice-to-have’ list, which is a great guiding star for choosing between homes that meet all of your ‘must-have’ items.

Some Suggestions for a Great List

Location, location, location – The top of any good ‘must-have’ list should be location. No matter what else is changed in a home, the location will always remain a constant. Decide what you want to be close to or far away from and make sure the grounds and neighborhood are all acceptable.

Bedrooms and bathrooms – Does everyone need their own room? Do you need a guest room? Could everyone share one bathroom? Ask yourself what you need at a minimum to facilitate everyone in your home.

Energy-efficient windows and good insulation – It may seem technical, but an energy efficient home can save you a lot of money in the long run. Don’t let money seep through a poorly insulated home.

Space for pets – Not everyone has pets, but for those who do it is a good idea to think of them in your ‘must-have’ list. After all, your new home is going to be Fido’s new home too! A fenced yard or a dog run might be a good idea, but also consider whether the space would allow you to add your own later.

Call your real estate professional today to start house-hunting, and don’t forget your new list!

Posted in: Blog Tagged: Buying A Home, Home Buying Tips, Home Value

Search Smarter

Did you know the hottest homes for sale in Hillsboro often sell within days of being listed? Don’t miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest homes as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the qualities that you want most in a home and save your search to start getting alerts today!

New Property Alerts

As local Hillsboro Real Estate Agents we also have access to homes before they hit the market and can show you more homes and information that are only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact us at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure… we hope to hear from you!

Post navigation

« The 7 Most Unaffordable Cities for Real Estate in the USA (And 3 Affordable Gems!)
A Quick Guide to Assessing Your Home’s Foundation for Cracks – And What to Do if You Find Them »

Contact Us Now



(217) 532-2525 Hillsboro Office
(217) 324-4663 Litchfield Office

info@mcrealty.net
Hillsboro Office

551 S. Main St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049

Litchfield Office

410 N Monroe St.,
Suite 100
Litchfield, IL 62056

Hillsboro Company License #478.025162
Litchfield Company License #477.012410

Follow Us Now!


Quick Search Tools

  • Easy Search
  • Advanced Search
  • Address Search
  • Upcoming Auctions
  • Home Valuation
  • Map Search
  • My Account
  • Listing ID Search
  • Contact

Chat with us Now!

Click here to visit our Facebook page to chat with us now!

© 2025 · MCR Realty Professionals, Inc. · 217-532-2525 Hillsboro Office · 217-324-4663 Litchfield Office · MCR Agent Office · Agent IDX Login · Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Hillsboro IL Homes for Sale
Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved by MCR Realty Professionals, Inc.

AREAS WE COVER:

62049, 62089, 62056, 62017, 62075, 62094
Hillsboro, Litchfield, Coffeen, Nokomis, Witt

Log in · Real Estate Websites by Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe.com