Describing the unknown with "que"
When you describe a specific thing you know exists, you use the standard indicative mood. However, when you describe something you are looking for, wanting, or needing—and you don't know if it actually exists yet—you must use the subjunctive.
This is especially useful when apartment hunting. To describe your ideal, undiscovered home, use a relative clause starting with que (that) followed by a verb in the subjunctive.
| I am looking for a penthouse that is spacious. | Busco un ático que sea amplio. |
| My sister wants a centrally located apartment that is bright. | Mi hermana quiere un piso céntrico que sea luminoso. |
| We need a furnished house that has a storage room. | Necesitamos una casa amueblada que tenga trastero. |
Notice how the main verb stating what you want or need (busco, quiere, necesitamos) is in the indicative, while the verb after que (sea, tenga) is in the subjunctive to describe the hypothetical features.
You also use the subjunctive when asking if something exists, or when stating that something does not exist. In these cases, words like algún (some/any) or ningún (none/not any) often appear before the noun.
| Do you know any outward-facing apartment that is sunny? | ¿Conoces algún piso exterior que sea soleado? |
| There is no spacious studio that is sunny. | No hay ningún estudio amplio que sea soleado. |
