One of the biggest advantages you can give yourself as a homebuyer right now? Staying flexible with your wish list.
Think of it this way: your wish list and your budget set the boundaries for your home search. If your budget has to stay put, the one thing you can adjust is your must-haves. You may not actually need every feature on your list, and being open to a little compromise could be what moves you from feeling stuck to holding the keys to your next home.
The numbers back it up, too. More buyers are leaning on this strategy to get around today’s affordability challenges. In fact, a recent study from Cotality found that 70% of buyers ended up giving up at least one item on their original wish list—even though before they started looking, only 33% thought they’d have to compromise at all.
So what changed? Once they were actually in the search, it clicked. The things you can’t change matter way more than the things you can always update later.
You can always make updates over time, like:
- Installing hardwood floors
- Adding those marble countertops
- Upgrading the bathrooms later on
Those things are fixable — and totally on your timeline.
But there are some things you can’t really change so easily, like:
Those are the things worth prioritizing from the start.
At the end of the day, it’s the location, the layout, and the overall bones of the home that matter most — not the cosmetic details you can always change later. And once you realize that, you’re in a much stronger position.
A Simple Step That’ll Open More Doors
So if your search feels stuck—or you’re scrolling listings and nothing feels quite right—try this simple reset. Write down everything you want in a home, then break it into three buckets:
- Must-Haves: These are your non-negotiables—the things that make everyday life work, like the right number of bedrooms, a manageable commute, accessibility needs, safety, or being close to family and your support system.
- Nice-to-Haves: Features you’d really enjoy but don’t absolutely need. Think a fenced backyard, dual closets in the primary suite, or a stamped patio.
- Dream Features: The fun extras—the “one day, I’d love to have…” items. Amazing if they’re there, but totally okay if they’re not (at least for now).
Once you break your list down like that, something becomes clear: your wish list can either box you in—or open up a whole lot more possibilities.
Sometimes we accidentally treat nice-to-haves like must-haves. If you loosen up just a bit, you’ll be surprised how many more homes suddenly fall into your range—including ones you may have scrolled right past but could actually be a great fit for your lifestyle.
Small Flexibility, Big Payoff
Your next home doesn’t have to check every single box—it just needs to check the right ones.
Maybe that looks like a home that needs a few cosmetic updates, or maybe it means trading a bigger yard for a better location.
These aren’t sacrifices—they’re smart trade-offs that help you actually get into a home. Cosmetic stuff can always be updated over time. But finding the right bones, the right layout, and the right location? That’s what really sets you up for the long haul.
An Agent Helps You See the Possibilities
If you’re not sure what to stand firm on and where you can be a little flexible, that’s where a trusted agent really makes a difference. They’ll help you spot opportunities, figure out what’s truly non-negotiable, and identify the features you can always add later—when the timing is right.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to find a home that fits both your budget and your lifestyle, let’s go through your wish list together. With a local expert by your side, it’s much easier to see where a little flexibility can open the door to a lot more opportunities.
