Wants, Needs, and “Nice-to-Haves”: How to Prioritize Your Home Search

So—you’re ready to find your dream home in the San Gabriel Valley. Let’s get after it. But before you start sprinting through every open house in Pasadena, Monrovia, or Alhambra, we need to pause and talk about what’s actually important. Spoiler: a unicorn stable or imported tile from Spain probably shouldn’t make the top of your list.

Here’s how to sort your wish list into categories that actually make sense (and save you a ton of stress).

Non-Negotiables (aka Deal Breakers)

These are your hard lines—the things that, if a home doesn’t have them, it’s an automatic “nope.” Think about what makes your day-to-day life functional, safe, and livable.

• Location: Close to work, school, or transit. If your commute or access to essentials is a nightmare, the house won’t feel like home.

• Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Your household needs what it needs. Whether it’s enough space for kids, guests, or a future home office, this is non-negotiable.

• Accessibility: Single-story versus stairs, walk-in showers, ramps, or anything tied directly to your lifestyle needs.

If a home doesn’t meet these essentials, it’s off the table—no matter how charming the built-ins or vintage tile might be.

Important Features (aka Strong Preferences)

These are the features that make life smoother, but you could technically live without or add later. They often become tie-breakers if you’re comparing two homes that are otherwise neck-and-neck.

• Dedicated office or workspace: Especially relevant if remote work is your reality.

• Garage or secure parking: In some SGV neighborhoods, this can be more important than granite counters.

• Outdoor space: A yard, patio, or balcony to get some fresh air.

These things weigh heavily in the decision, but missing one doesn’t necessarily kill the deal.

Nice-to-Haves (aka Pinterest Board Specials)

This is where people get dreamy—and sometimes distracted. These extras look great in photos but shouldn’t outrank the stuff that really matters (structure, layout, location).

Examples:

• Smart home gadgets

• High-end appliances

• Vaulted ceilings or heated floors

• Resort-level perks like a pool with a swim-up bar

Nice? Absolutely. Necessary? Not really. And if the bones of the house are good, you can always add some of these later.

Build Your Own Priority List

Here’s a simple framework to get you started:

1. Must-Haves → Your deal breakers (non-negotiables).

2. Strong Preferences → The “we’d really like it” features.

3. Nice-to-Haves → Fun extras that shouldn’t drive your budget or stress.

Making this list does two big things for you:

• It helps you stay grounded when emotions kick in during showings.

• It helps your agent (hi 👋) focus the search and filter out properties that will waste your time and energy.

Why This Matters in the SGV

The San Gabriel Valley is full of variety. You can find charming craftsman homes in Pasadena, newer builds in Arcadia, and fixer-uppers with huge potential in El Monte. By sorting your priorities ahead of time, you’ll be better prepared to find a place that actually works for you, instead of chasing shiny objects that don’t fit your lifestyle or budget.

Final Thought

Not everything on your wish list has to be a deal breaker. What matters is knowing your non-negotiables, keeping your strong preferences in mind, and remembering that “nice-to-haves” are just that—nice.

Buying a home is a mix of practicality and dreams. The clearer you are about what matters most, the easier it is to find the right fit—without getting distracted by imported tile, mythical unicorn stables, or the dream of a swim-up bar.

📲 Thinking about buying in the San Gabriel Valley? Let’s chat about your priorities and how to start the search with confidence. Text, email, or call me anytime.

| Matthew Garcia, Real Estate Agent | DRE# 02251181 | Real Brokerage Technologies

Disclaimer
This blog post was created using a combination of personal insights, publicly available real estate resources, and AI writing assistance via ChatGPT by OpenAI. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and relevance, the information provided is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.

Readers are encouraged to consult with licensed professionals before making any real estate decisions. Turn Keys With MG, Matthew Garcia DRE# 02251181, and Real Brokerage Technologies assume no liability or responsibility for actions taken based on the content of this blog. Always verify any legal or regulatory advice with appropriate authorities or qualified professionals.