With as much time as you are going to be spending in the kitchen, you want to make sure it is a space you enjoy being in. Make sure you take the time to observe the design of the kitchen. You want to look beyond the color of paint on the walls or the curtains hanging in the window. 

Think about the type of layout that you want. Are you looking for an open floor plan, or do you prefer a closed kitchen? Do you and your family use the kitchen extensively to entertain and cook meals, or do you microwave your meals and need less space? Everyone’s needs are different, so you need to have a good idea of what your exact needs are before starting your house hunting. Changing the layout of the kitchen is often quite costly and very time-consuming.

If you are looking at several homes, you will want to take specific notes about each kitchen and the features that they have. Be sure to take detailed pictures of each house this way; you can compare the kitchens. Keeping detailed notes on each home, can help when finalizing which home to make an offer on and can help identify points for negotiating down on price.