By Valerie Beausoleil, Beausoleil Realty Group
Updated October 27, 2026

A useful home search starts with criteria you choose. Before touring properties, identify the features, costs and practical requirements that matter most to your decision.

Choose three priorities to start

Separate non-negotiable requirements from preferences. Examples include a maximum monthly ownership budget, a particular bedroom layout, limited stairs, parking dimensions, storage, outdoor space or a property type. These are features to verify for each home, not assumptions about who should live in an area.

Build a property comparison worksheet

  • Budget: purchase price, financing, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, utilities and maintenance.
  • Layout: room locations, stairs, doorways, workspace and storage.
  • Condition: roof, HVAC, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems and documented improvements.
  • Ownership obligations: association rules, assessments, easements, restrictions and maintenance responsibilities.
  • Location details: routes to destinations you select, utility service, jurisdiction and relevant public records.

For every item, note the evidence, what remains unknown and who can confirm it. An advertised amenity is not necessarily included with ownership.

Research locations using objective information

Select the locations you want to consider. Test actual routes at the times you expect to travel. Use official parcel, planning and utility resources for address-specific questions. If school assignment is relevant, confirm the complete address and intended year with the applicable district; listing labels are not guarantees.

BRG can help you locate factual property information and search within the criteria you specify. We do not recommend neighborhoods for particular types of people, household structures or protected characteristics, and we do not make safety claims or school-quality comparisons.

Revisit preferences after comparing homes

After several showings, review which trade-offs you would accept and which requirements remain essential. A property-specific comparison can help you make that choice without relying on vague descriptions such as "community feel."

Read about buying with BRG, review our location research questions, or use our advanced property search. If selling is part of your plan, start with the weekend preparation checklist.

Bring your chosen criteria and questions. We can help organize a property search around them.
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