Add these to your wish list before starting the hunt for your newlywed nest.<\/p>\n
Ready to buy your first home as a couple? No doubt, you\u2019ve both been keeping wish lists for your humble abode. Some dream features may fall in the \u201cnice to have\u201d category\u2014separate bathrooms, walk-in closets and a swimming pool, anyone? But others\u2014like extra storage space or a digital thermostat\u2014really do make life easier, not to mention save your sanity when you\u2019re sharing space with the one you love. When you finally kick off the house hunt, check out the advanced search tool at ColdwellBanker.com\u2014it lets you look for homes that meet all of your requirements, from fireplaces and AC, to backyards and basements. There\u2019s even a filter for a smart home search, so you can find a place that\u2019s tricked out with the latest technology. Need help sorting out your priorities? Check out our list of essentials you might not have considered.<\/p>\n
1. Storage for Everything Yours, Mine and Ours<\/strong> 2. Separate Vanities for Toothbrushing Elbow Room<\/strong> 3. A Smart Thermostat to Find Your Goldilocks Room Temp<\/strong> 4. Space for Your Hobbies to Keep Boredom at Bay<\/strong> 5. A Smart Lock So You\u2019ll Never Forget Your Key Again<\/strong> 6. Low-Maintenance Materials to Spend Less Time Cleaning<\/strong> 7. A Smoke Detector That Won\u2019t Go Off Every Time You Cook<\/strong>
\nWhile the number of bedrooms and bathrooms might be up for debate, one item on the wish list is non-negotiable: storage space. Take it from us, even if you don\u2019t think you need it right now, you\u2019re going to need it down the line (read: when you unload all your wedding registry loot). So before you start shopping, talk it over with your significant other to figure out your individual storage needs. Do you need an attic for all your holiday decorations and other seasonal items? Is a lack of closet space a deal breaker, or is a sizeable kitchen pantry more of a priority? You (and your stuff) will be much better off with a little extra breathing room.<\/p>\n
\nThe crack of dawn is so not the time to be bumping elbows and jockeying for position at the bathroom sink\u2014your coffee hasn\u2019t even kicked in yet! If the two of you will be sharing a master bath, save yourself the morning do-si-do and look for a place with dual sinks or even separate vanities. Not only will you both have your own designated space to store your toiletries, you\u2019ll also avoid having to dance around each other to look in the mirror. Getting ready is so much less stressful when there\u2019s no chance of accidentally poking your spouse with your hot curling iron.<\/p>\n
\nWant a room that\u2019s not too hot and not too cold, but just right? Look for a home with a programmable thermostat (or even install one yourself). The Nest Learning Thermostat takes this \u201csmart home\u201d feature one step further\u2014it programs itself. This clever device remembers which temperatures you like at certain times of day, so after a week of use, it\u2019s got your schedule down pat. Nest can even detect when your cell phone leaves the house and programs an eco-friendly setting while you\u2019re away, or turns itself down at night while you\u2019re asleep. We can\u2019t guarantee it\u2019ll stop your spouse from stealing the covers, but it definitely can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n
\nIn order for home to truly be your happy place, you both need room for your favorite pastimes. Before you start your search, think about what that means to each of you. Are you dreaming of a cozy reading nook to house your favorite books, or will you need a basement workshop for all those DIY projects? Talk about which home features you need to make this happen, like a spare guest room or spacious garage, and add them to your wish list. That way, your real estate agent can guide you toward homes that check all the boxes.<\/p>\n
\nSure, hiding your key under a rock means you\u2019ll never get locked out, but it\u2019s also a great way to get your stuff stolen. A home equipped with the August Smart Lock, on the other hand, takes security into the 21st century. The device attaches to the back of a regular deadbolt, and is controlled by your smartphone so you can lock and unlock, create virtual keys for friends and family, or control who comes and goes without ever copying a key. Found a home you love that doesn\u2019t have this cool feature? You can speak to a Coldwell Banker Real Estate professional about purchasing a Smart Home Staging Kit.<\/p>\n
\nYes, white marble countertops are gorgeous, but spill even a drop of red wine and suddenly, happy hour is a lot less happy. So unless you\u2019re one of those couples that find cleaning relaxing, it\u2019s smart to look for a home with easy-care surfaces that are as durable as they are beautiful. Think: hardwood floors instead of carpet, vinyl siding in place of wood and quartz countertops over marble. These lower-maintenance choices make cleaning quick and easy, so you\u2019ll have more time to focus on the fun stuff. Because the couple that binge-watches together, stays together.<\/p>\n
\nConfession time: The last time you burned popcorn in your rental kitchen, did you get so annoyed at the smoke alarm that you ripped it off the wall? Ditch the old-school version and look for a home with upgraded digital alarms. The Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector gives you a quick heads-up before sounding the alarm, so you can use your smartphone to silence it before it wakes the neighbors. In case of a real emergency, it even talks to tell you exactly where the problem is. Plus, the batteries last for years and alert your phone when it\u2019s time to replace (instead of waking you in the middle of the night with that annoying chirp).<\/p>\n