Use the ‘80-10-10’ rule to know if you’ve found the right house, says real estate agent of 10 years

Many buyers begin their with a long list of "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves. " This is a great starting point, but you can quickly get stuck in the weeds

The real clarity comes once you begin touring s in person, because that's when you start to truly understand what you need versus what you want

But no matter the budget, location, or market conditions, every comes with trade-offs

The key is knowing how to evaluate what matters most to you

That's where the "80-10-10 Rule" comes in

Use the 80-10-10 rule to simplify your I did not make up the 80-10-10 rule — I wish I knew who did so we could credit that person

But over time, it's become a widely adapted industry metric

Think location, lot size, or architectural style

How to make the most informed decisions your future Most of my clients end up touring somewhere between five to 10 s before making an offer

If you fall in love with a perty early on, I often recommend touring a few more just to reaffirm your decision

Sometimes that first one really is the one, but it's helpful to have context and you can quickly line up a few other showings

But to help buyers stay focused and make informed decisions, I created what I call the "L. " It's designed to cut through the noise and keep you grounded when touring perties

Because when emotions run high, having a system to fall back on makes all the difference

Stands for:Location: Where is the perty situated

Is it close to work, schools, transit, or lifestyle essentials that matter most to you

Location is one of the few things you can't change, so it should be a top priority

Offerings: What is the actually offering in terms of specs: bedroom/bathroom count, square footage, garage, yard, systems, and infrastructure

Does it meet your current and future needs

Value add: Is there potential to imve or build equity over time

Examples include: un basements, cosmetic, expansion potential, or zoning upside

Exit strategy: What's the resale potential

Even if you plan to stay long-term, it's wise to consider how the will perform in the future market if you ever decide to sell or rent it out

This acronym helps my clients cut through distractions and focus on the fundamentals that matter most for both lifestyle and long-term value

Whether you're just starting your or feeling stuck midway, remember: There's no perfect house

But with the right frameworks and systems, there is a right house for you

Dana Bull is a real estate agent, investor, and partner at Strobeck Antonell Bull & Co

At Compass, an award-winning team udly serving the Greater Boston area

She is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE)

She is a mom of four, and a passionate collector of old and antique s, drawn to perties with character, quirks and stories to tell

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