• Have a place you can call your own

• Attain a sense of stability for your family

• Join friends and family members who own homes

• Gain social status

• Express your creativity with interior and exterior décor

• Remove yourself from a fluctuating rental market

• Increase your net worth

• Excellent long-term investment

• Federal and state tax savings

• Take advantage of an appreciating asset

• Long-term savings plan

• Tax shelter for part of your income

• Long-term security

Not only do you need to consider the factors that influence your decision to buy, but also the features, location and amenities of the home you want to buy. You will need to examine your lifestyle, as well as your physical and emotional needs, to determine what style or type of home you should buy. To help determine your needs, you should make a brief analysis of your lifestyle. The following examples will help you to better understand your needs in a home:

• Do you love to cook? Look for a home with a well-designed, usable kitchen with sufficient cupboards and pantries to store your supplies.

• Do you need to entertain frequently? Find a home with a large dining room and living room.

• Do both spouses bring work home? Look for a home with space for two offices or a single room large enough to accommodate two work areas.

• Are there two adults living together? Look for two master bedroom suites.

• Do you have pets? Look for a home with a fenced yard or dog run, or a condominium complex that allows pets.

• Stressful jobs? Look for a spa or isolated quiet room where you can unwind.

• Operating a home business? Plan for an extra room or a garage large enough to accommodate supplies and equipment, or a side yard with storage.

• Do you love handyman projects? Look for a fixer-upper or a home that needs a face-lift or remodeling.

Above all, you will have to start planning your finances in order to determine whether your income allows you to purchase a home. You will also need to evaluate how much you need in cash for down payment and closing costs. You will need to educate yourself regarding the home sales market and neighborhood and school choices. It would be smart to do this research before you start looking for a specific home. You will need to be an educated buyer before you are faced with the decision to choose a home. In some market areas, you will not have time to do research while a home sits on the market because homes sell so quickly. By starting your planning now and assimilating the information that you will need to make an educated decision, you can be prepared ahead of time.