Use the ‘80-10-10’ rule to know if you’ve found the right house, says real estate agent of 10 years
As a real estate broker of 10 years, working with clients whose budgets range from $300,000 to $3 million, I can confidently say that there is no perfect house.
Many buyers begin their home search 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 homes 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 home 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.
Dana Bull is a real estate agent, investor, and partner at Strobeck Antonell Bull & Co. at Compass, an award-winning team proudly 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 homes, drawn to properties with character, quirks and stories to tell.
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