When you buy a home, you also buy the neighborhood and the community where the home is located. Its not just a real-estate purchase, its a lifestyle decision! Its best to weigh all three against the day-to-day life that suits you. Is the peace, quiet and distance of rural life more to your taste, or do you prefer closer proximity to people and activities? Are community assets such as museums, theatres, music and libraries important and close by? What access to public transportation do you need? What proximity to shopping do you prefer? If there are children in the household, home location usually affects school choices. Check the current zoning of neighborhood-to-school, and ask about zoning changes over time. In the final decision, talking with people that live in the community and neighborhood may be helpful. They will know the area well, and you may be meeting your future neighbors in the process.

Buying a home is a complex decision financially and emotionally, with long-term effects on life. Being clear on your housing needs and wants before starting can help make the process easier. As much as possible, your home should fit the life of everyone living there — space, features, neighborhood, and more. Try to agree on your priorities before you have narrowed down to a particular house. Things to consider: Home features. How many bedrooms? Offices? Garage size? What are your must-have and like-to-have criteria for common areas such as kitchen, living room, and media room? Home size. Square footage is a big factor in pricing; how does your desired size compare to your current situation? Lot and yard. The outdoor space around the house may be a big or small factor for you. Other amenities such as distance to work and schools, neighborhood character, parks and common facilities, as well as in-house amenities — everything from the floors to the roof — are also part of your decision process. The experts advise knowing your minimum requirements — those must-haves — and your wish list of nice-to-have features.