It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful setting or a unique feature in a house and overlook more practical details such as size, layout and functionality. That’s where we’ll come into play with a thoughtful reality check.

But before you start falling in love with anything, begin by considering what you like – and dislike – about your current home. Then make a list of all characteristics you want in a home, both practical and cosmetic. These should reflect your current lifestyle and take into account your plans for the future. We’ll review the list with you to determine how to best meet your needs given your price range and the current market conditions.

Consider the following points when creating your ultimate home wish list:

Eating areas and kitchen: Think about the amount of time you spend in your kitchen and the workspace you will require. Will you need a separate dining room for entertaining or will an eating nook suffice?

Light and exposure: While large south-facing windows tend to produce lots of light in winter they can make your home very hot in summer. Think about which rooms you’d like to receive the most light during the morning versus where you’d like to receive afternoon and evening light.

Electricity and wiring: Will you need special wiring such as a high-speed data line for Internet access or a security system? Look around your current home and think about how many electrical sockets, cable and telephone outlets you use. Although these can be added after you move in, they can be expensive to install.

Renovations: If you’re considering buying a "fixer-upper," think about how much work you are realistically capable of handling yourself, and how much disruption to your lifestyle you can put up with during the renovations. Get some cost and time estimates before making an offer. There’s a big difference between cosmetic renovations (such as changing flooring and cabinetry) and structural alterations (such as removing walls).

Don't forget: You’ll also want to determine how many bedrooms and bathrooms you’d like; parking availability; and storage space.

While there are many other factors to consider when choosing a home if you start with this list we can then help you evaluate your needs further. Investing time and thought into determining what you’re looking for in a home while working with experience professionals can save you time, money and stress. And get you into a home you love. For all the right reasons.