Once you have made your decision to buy a home and stop renting, you'll need a strategy to get started on your search. The secret in searching for the perfect home lies in your ability to identify exactly what you want out of a home.

Many first time home buyers feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the homebuying process simply because there are too many decisions to make. How do you decide on the best location? What if the home isn't in the best move-in condition? Can you afford to be so far away from work? Making sure you've asked yourself the right questions and creating a 'wishlist' for your ideal home will make the home buying process much easier, and also help you get over many of the challenges involved in finding that perfect home. Start creating your wishlist with the following essential questions and considerations in mind:

1. What are the essential amenities you're looking for? Think about fireplaces, swimming pools and kitchen appliances that you want to have in your new home. Prioritize these so you can simply say 'no' to a prospective home if it doesn't meet the basic amenities criteria. Be as specific as possible with this section so you can narrow down the hundreds of options available.

2. Be specific about your location. Author Ilyce Glink of '100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask' explains that location is one of the most important factors when considering different homes. You'll need to think about where you will be located in relation to schools, places of worship, shopping venues and even your friends and family. Your final location will determine how much you may need to drive each day - and if it's worth the extra effort.

3. The size of your home. Specify how much space your family needs and if you are expecting any additions to your family in the near future. Your needs will determine the size of the home that you will purchase. If your family is growing, you might want to purchase a bigger home to accommodate your family three to five years in the future.

4. Do you want to buy a home that needs renovation? Are you willing to put in the time, effort and finances to renovate a home? How much are you willing to invest on repairs and modifications? Create a standard concerning renovations so you can remove certain homes from your search.

5. Do you value safety and security? This is an important issue for families with small children and individuals living alone. What are the things you will need in order to feel secure in a home and neighborhood? Eliminate homes that do not pass your safety and security guidelines.

By asking yourself specific questions about your preferences, goals and dreams, you'll be able to narrow down the vast field of choices and find the home that truly meets your needs.

Author and Realtor Alexandria P. Anderson helps clients to find and purchase real estate in Eden Prairie as well as Eden Prairie homes for sale in and around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.