Published January 28, 2026

Must-Have vs Nice-to-Have: The Key to a Focused and Successful Home Search

Written by Simon Westfall-Kwong

A collection of luxury homes showcasing a variety of features, including some with sparkling swimming pools and others without, illustrating the difference between must-have and nice-to-have amenities in a successful home search.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by endless home listings and unsure which properties truly fit your needs? It’s easy to get distracted by beautiful features and charming details, but without a clear plan, you might be wasting valuable time looking at the wrong homes. Before you schedule another tour or scroll through more listings, take a moment to create a Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have list.

What’s the difference?
Your Must-Haves are the non-negotiables—the deal-breakers that define your ideal home. These include critical factors like the location you want to live in, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need, and the school district if you have or plan to have children. These elements form the foundation of your home search and ensure that any property you consider meets your essential criteria.

On the other hand, Nice-to-Haves are the bonus features that would be wonderful to have but aren’t deal-breakers. Think fireplaces, gourmet eat-in kitchens, open floor plans, a first-floor guest suite (although with some buyers, we're seeing this a "must"), a dedicated office space, or even a pool. While these amenities can enhance your living experience, they shouldn’t distract you from focusing on what truly matters.

Why is this important?
In our local market and surrounding areas, there are plenty of gorgeous homes available, but not every beautiful home is the right fit for you. By clearly distinguishing between must-haves and nice-to-haves, you keep your search efficient and targeted. This approach saves you time, reduces frustration, and helps prevent falling in love with a home that ultimately doesn’t meet your real needs.

Most importantly, having this list ready means you’re prepared to act quickly when the right home comes on the market. In a competitive environment, being decisive and focused can make all the difference.

Ready to get started?
I invite you to DM me your must-have list, and together we’ll find homes that truly check all your boxes. Let’s make your home search smarter, faster, and more successful.

For a deeper dive into this strategy, watch my short video where I explain how to create your Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have list and why it’s a game-changer in your home buying journey. Watch the video

here.

Simon Westfall-Kwong
Branch Broker | Real Estate Advisor
LuxeLife Group
📞 +1 973-721-9228
📧 simon@luxeliferealestategroup.com