How to Choose the Right Home

While no one can know for sure what will happen to housing values, if you make the choice to buy a home that meets your needs and priorities you'll be happy to live in it for years to come.

For some homebuyers, living in a particular neighborhood takes precedence over all other priorities, but for others, the home itself matters more. Ideally, you'll find the perfect home in the neighborhood you love at a price that's below your budget, but realistically, most people have to make some compromises.

You (and your spouse, partner or family) should make a list of what features you want in a home, such as the number of bedrooms, a fenced yard, granite counters in the kitchen, and then rank them in terms of priorities.

Think about whether the house or the community matter more to you, and whether it's worth it to you to make a longer commute in order to live in a home with a larger lot.