First-time home buyers make up a big chunk of home buyers. So what are their top priorities when shopping for a home? Bankrate.com recently featured “must-haves” for first-time home buyers. Here are a few top priorities:  

Affordable price. "Unlike a trade-up buyer, they don't have any equity to roll into the purchase of their next home, so coming up with a down payment and the financial aspects of buying a home is the first concern," says Paul Bishop, vice president of research for the National Association of REALTORS®. Fortunately, home affordability is at one of its highest in years and a large inventory of homes on the market provides plenty of options, which is helping first-time buyers find a good home at a great price.

Room to grow. Ken Shuman, Trulia.com spokesman, says that first-time home buyers often find its smart to search for a first home that not only accommodates their needs now but one that can accommodate them in 10 years, too. Space to accommodate growing families will likely be a higher priority than upgrades, such as granite countertops, Shuman says. 

Turnkey. Surveys have recently shown first-time home buyers showing a preference for homes that are in move-in condition and in stable neighborhoods, rather than fixer uppers in depressed neighborhoods. In evaluating whether a home has been well-maintained, MacDonald suggests watching for such things as rotten trim on the exterior, dirty air-return ducts or a dirty filter in the HVAC system, or a damaged roof or gutters. 

Read more from Bankrate.com about must-haves of first-time home buyers.

Source: “5 Major Must-Haves for a Fab First Home,” Bankrate.com (August 2011)