Separate needs from preferences.
A must-have earns its place by changing how you live. List the non-negotiables first, then the features you would trade for the right layout, location or timing.
Describe an ordinary day.
Think about the routes you take, the space you use and the times you need quiet or light. Specific routines are more useful than a broad neighborhood reputation.
Compare with the same questions.
Keep notes on layout, condition, services, storage and ongoing commitments. A consistent framework makes different homes easier to compare.
Leave room for discovery.
Use your brief as a starting point. A viewing may reveal that an alternative layout or building type serves you better than what you first imagined.