Single?
Whether you live alone or with a roommate, relative, or housekeeper determines the layout of the home you prefer. Some people want their own space while others like to share most activities.

Live together?
See if the layout allows enough private space. Whether you live with a spouse, roommate, relative, or housekeeper determines the layout of the home you prefer. Some couples want their own space whiles others like to share most activities.

Kids at home?
Of course if there are kids in the house, the daily routine is quite different from empty nesters. Look for play space and number of bedrooms, and their location relative to master bedrooms and kitchens. Even in the desert, mud rooms offer lots of convenience.

Kids of different ages?
Check out where the bedrooms are in relation to the Master bedroom. If you have infants or toddlers, the nursery may need to be close to the master bedroom. Teenagers present their own unique considerations.

Grandchildren?
Whether the grandkids visit for the day or stay overnight will affect how the home is used. The floor plan layout should reflect the ages and activity preferences of the kids.

Houseguests?
Some overnight guests prefer their own quest suite while others are happy on a pull out couch. Overnight visits by relatives can be of special concern. If you entertain often look at laundry facilities carefully.

Walking a problem?
The degree of mobility is of prime importance in selecting the floor plan right for you. Consider the distance to the kitchen from the car for unloading groceries, the distance to the kitchen from the bedrooms, the distance from bed to bathrooms, and level changes which pose challenges to the less mobile person.

Climbing stairs a problem?
Multi levels and locations of stairs can be identified easily on a floor plan. Persons with mobility difficulties can see how the layout will be helpful or difficult for them. Check the floor plan to see how to add ramps, stair lifts, or other accessories.

Host dinner and/or patio parties?
If you throw parties and dinners, the layout of the kitchen and dining areas takes on added importance. The size and location of pools and patios are easy to see on the floor plan.

Have a vehicle, multiple vehicles, RV's, or boats?
The need for garages or carports and the number of spaces depends of the type of vehicles and uses. Some neighborhoods don't allow vehicles (including boats and RVs) parked outside of a garage so remember to check the Deed Restrictions.

Enjoy crafts and hobbies?
The areas for working on crafts and hobbies as well as storage for the supplies may need to be separate from other living areas of the home. Supervision of kids doing projects will need to be considered.

Work on your car yourself?
Working on your car is better if there is adequate space for tools and parts storage, walk around room, and good lighting. Exhaust fumes need to be vented away from living areas of the patio. Visual screening of "work in progress" may be important in certain neighborhoods.

Rent a storage locker?
A current storage locker may not be needed if there is adequate storage in the home. The costs of renting a locker could be applied to a larger house payment to buy more square feet.

Want a pool and/or spa?
The shape of the pool, its size, location of adjoining patios, barbeques, Jacuzzi, all are indicated on the floor plan. The location pool fences and gates are important if small kids are at home.

Dress in bathroom or bedroom?
Some people like to get dressed in the bathroom while others like to dress in the bedroom. If you are an early riser and you share with a late riser be sure to look for a dressing area where the light is shielded.

Want a walk-in closet?
Some owners like the convenience of a walk-in closet in combination with a dressing room, bathroom, or bedroom. Look at your existing closet space as a guide to how large a space you need.

Eat in kitchen or dining room?
If dining in the kitchen is preferred, the space available is easily seen on the floor plan. The proximity of the kitchen is important when food is served to the dining room.

Have a food freezer?
If the freezer needs to be in the kitchen or an adjacent pantry, the floor plan will show if enough space is available.

Is cooking a recreational activity?
The size and layout of the kitchen will depend on how much cooking is recreation versus daily chore. Storage and display space for treasured dishes, china, and collectables should be considered.

Enjoy home canning of food?
The space required for larger operations like home canning and freezing of food is different than for simple meal preparation.

Enjoy sewing?
The sewing room has mostly disappeared from American homes. The enjoyment of this activity is greatly enhanced with proper work layout space and storage.

Have indoor or outdoor pets?
The particular animal, its size, where it sleeps, where it eats, and how it eats are to be considered when studying the floor plan. A fenced yard or patio could be important for the pet's happiness.

Want a flower and/or vegetable garden?
Gardeners need growing space as well as storage and prep space for potting, sorting, and cleaning of produce, flowers, and tools.

Enjoy snow sports?
Check for storage space for skis and poles, tubes, sleds, and winter clothes.

Enjoy water skiing and water sports?
Check for storage space for water skis, tow ropes, boats, tubes, and coolers.

Play golf?
Check for storage space for clubs and golf bags.

Enjoy scuba diving?
Check for storage space for scuba tanks, regulators, fins, weights, wetsuits, masks, and snorkels.

Enjoy surfing?
Check for storage space for surfboards and wetsuits.

Enjoy climbing and mountaineering?
Check for storage space for ropes, backpacks, shoes, poles, harnesses, and gloves.

Go camping regularly?
Check for storage space for tents, stoves, sleeping bags, coolers, chairs, cooking pots, dried food, and water jugs.