The life of a home is often in the details. When the details are thoughtfully chosen, a home develops a personality. Through various upgrades and decorative options, not only does a home develop its own character, it also reflects the homeowner's individuality.

Choosing options can be thrilling, but it can also be confusing. But no matter what category of homebuyer you are, consider these three things before making any decision.

• Budget - what can you afford?
• Time Frame - how long do you plan to live in the home?
• Lifestyle - what are your personal preferences, how many people will be living in the home, and what's your style of living?

Whittling Down the Choices

A new home offers an incredible opportunity for the buyer to artfully personalize their environment. Mindful of budget, time frame, and lifestyle, the next step is to focus on the your vision of what your dream house looks like.

"What look do you want to achieve?" is the first question to ask, advises Lisa Kalmbach, senior vice president of KB Home, one of America's premiere homebuilders based in Los Angeles, California. In order to achieve a "look," it's suggested that buyers bring tear sheets from magazines along with pillows that show the colors and fabric of their furniture, to the KB Studio where they can one-stop shop for upgrades and options while working with a professional decorator. This way the look the buyer has in mind can be carried throughout the house.

Once the look is determined, the next step is to focus on the basics. Cabinetry and trim set the tone for the home and tend to be the largest and most expensive option/ upgrade. Today, deep rich woods are popular with coordinating lighter or darker stained trim. Flooring should then be considered, deciding on carpet, tile, laminates or hardwood for each room. The cabinetry and flooring in the home create a sense of flow throughout the floor plan. Lastly, lighting fixtures should be chosen for consistency in style and personal preference.

"Then comes the pizzazz--countertops, laminates, ceramic tiles, granites, Avonite solid surface countertop, small tiles for the kitchen and bath, or maybe cultured marble for the bath," says Barbara Fowler, design gallery manager with Sivage Thomas Homes, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sivage Thomas Homes is a Diamond Builder (awarded for excellence in customer satisfaction) and in 1999 was recognized as America's Best Builder by Builder's Magazine. These options create atmosphere, personality and bring distinction to any home, notes Fowler.

First-Time Buyers

Minimally, ten percent of the total cost of the home should be set aside for upgrades, recommends Kalmbach. "People underestimate what they can afford. The important thing is to go for the dream. Upgrades turn out only to be dollars a month in a mortgage payment and they will typically only be paying for seven years, the average time a person stays in their home," she says.

What buyers don't want to do, however, is build functional obsolescence into the home, cautions Fowler. In other words, don't make choices that will date the interior of the home too quickly. It's always best to work with soft muted tones and use accessories for bold colors. "Always think resale value," says Fowler.

Mover-Uppers Love Upgrades

Commonly, this buyer has a larger budget for upgrades, and is likely to choose higher-end appliances and products with name recognition that speak refinement and state-of-the-art function. Luxurious touches will top their list, such as granites for the kitchen and bathroom countertops and more expensive cabinetry and flooring. In the bathroom this buyer will opt for such upgrades as jet tubs, accent tiles in the bathroom, clear glass shower doors, or glass block tubs or snail-shaped showers.

Empty-Nesters Building a Smaller Nest

Retirees may be downsizing, but they are also upgrading without compromise. This highly social adult buyer wants a home where they can entertain and perhaps consult or work from a home-based office. Building technology into the home is one of the best investments--wiring for sound, office, theater, and networking systems-and it's a great way to "futureproof" a new home.

Like the mover-upper, the retiree will opt for more expensive elegance touches especially in the kitchen and bath and instead of muted tones, they may be bolder in their choice of colors as their tastes are more established and refined. The outside landscape is also a greater consideration and they will work to integrate the inner personality of the home with the outside, through patios, decks, and screened-in porches.

Beauty and Function

A home can only match a homeowner's dream when there's a marriage of beauty and function. The best advice may be summed up in a few words: "Know yourself," and "Dream large."