Personality profile may help with shopping for new home

Is a new home in your future for 2008?

Before you hit the pavement or search online, take this simple quiz from Beazer Homes, one of the nation's leading home builders, to find out what new features might best suit your personality.

My dream kitchen would include:

a. A walk-in pantry with adjustable shelving, vegetable bins and built-in spice racks

b. Pull-out bins for recycling cans and bottles

c. A large island for serving the kids snacks or supervising homework

d. More freezer space for frozen dinners

The perfect master bedroom would have:

a. Separate his- and hers-dressing areas with built-in drawers, shelving and hanging rods

b. Shoe cubbies in the closet large enough to accommodate hiking boots

c. A sitting area with fireplace that I can make my personal retreat

d. An oversized laundry basket

The perfect master bath could only mean:

a. Dual sinks plus a large soaking tub for the occasional bubble bath

b. Hooks for air-drying towels and shelves for organic bath salts

c. Abundant cabinet and storage space for extra linens and toiletries

d. A suction-cup squeegee to clean the shower door

Laundry room must-haves would include:

a. Cabinets for storing washing and cleaning supplies

b. Energy-efficient front-loading washer and dryer and hanging rods for air-drying

c. A large sink for pre-treating stains and counter space for sorting and folding clothes

d. Easy-to-follow operating instructions for the maid

When I hear home office I think of:

a. A built-in desk with filing drawers and cabinets tucked away in its own room

b. Wi-Fi card and my laptop

c. Central workstation where everything is wired for technology

d. Kitchen chalkboard, random Post-it notes and magnets on the fridge

Saving energy at home translates to:

a. Setting the thermostat to 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer

b. Eco-friendly living, from CFL light bulbs and low-flow faucets to organic food and car-pooling

c. Recycling newspapers and donating children's clothes and toys

d. Taking an afternoon nap and turning off the lights before I go to bed

Compile your answers and determine your new home personality according to the number of A, B, C or D answers.

Type A. The On-the-Go Pro

Entertaining, work and play are of nearly equal importance, but organization is the engine that drives you.

You like your workspace to be tidy, your closet to be clutter-free and your home to be inviting, so a new home has to include all the whistles and bells for a streamlined lifestyle.

Look for options like a master suite with separate his- and hers-closets, a built-in but hidden-from-sight home office and flex space -- a room that easily is transformed from personal gym to in-laws' suite to media room.

Type B. The Eco-Techie

Green is your color and reducing energy consumption is your mantra.

You want a new home to have energy-conscious features from the get-go, so when house hunting, ask questions about sustainable building practices and what is behind the walls.

"By using a combination of housewrap, tape and foam, a builder can 'envelope' the home and therefore minimize energy loss," said Tony Callahan, senior vice president of Beazer Homes, which uses low-emittance windows, Fiberglas doors and radiant barriers in its homes whenever possible to maximize energy efficiency.

Type C. All In The Family

Your busy family keeps you on the go and between school, sports and other extracurricular activities, there's just enough time to catch 40 winks.

If your home is your castle, then your kitchen is command central.

The kitchen in your new home should be loaded with storage and plenty of counter space for food prep, family gatherings and afternoon snacks.

Type D. Happy At Home

You live a carefree lifestyle, or want to, and prefer not to spend time on chores and honey-do lists.

Ever given townhome living a thought?

A condensed lifestyle with all the amenities of a larger home also translates to lower energy costs and less time spent on home maintenance.