When it comes to buying a home, there are several things you need to take into consideration. You want to know what the area is like when it comes to demographics and crime statistics. Another thing you should put time into is making a wish list of what the house you’re looking to buy will have.
Location, Location, Location
Most people have a general idea about where they want to live based on where their job is or where their family lives. Say you work in Southern California, for example. That doesn’t mean you have to live in L.A. or San Diego. There are lots of smaller cities and towns well within commuting distance to major urban areas. Take houses for sale in Escondido, for example. If you live here you’ll only be 30 miles from San Diego and, better yet, only 20 miles from the beach!
Attractive Features
When it comes to house hunting, there are some home features that will be more appreciated or necessary than others. For example, many people love the draw of a finished basement. Additional space to have for recreational activities or someplace outside of your main living area to practice a hobby can be something appealing to you.
Keep in mind, the practicality of some features may sound great, but can be an added expense you’ve not considered. Maybe you always wanted a swimming pool, in the midwest, that could end up costing you more than you bargained for and actually decrease the attractiveness of your home if you decide to move.
Wish List
Just like making a registry for a wedding or pregnancy, creating a wish list to help with house shopping is a smart thing to do. Planning for any significant event is an important part of making sure you get what you need. In contrast to marriage and starting a family, making a list for your ideal home is slightly different. The first thing you need to do is decide what items are wants versus needs.
Start with picturing the house of your dreams then slowly cut out extravagant wants and shift your focus to value items. If you are stumped on what types of things to consider, there are home buying checklists available online or through your realtor.
Figure out how much of a budget you have to work with. You have a real estate agent to help you decide what types of houses are available in your price range. They should also be aware of the area the property is located and the nearby conveniences. These professionals can help you match your wants and needs with available houses within your price range.
Compromise
As you know by now, life is full of compromise. It’s no different when it comes to house shopping. Although you have an idea of what you’re looking for, be open to properties that don’t match your ideals but meet your needs. Don’t fall into the misconception that finding a trendy house is the best choice. Just like fashion and decor, house layouts also go through various trends. Trends ebb and flow. For example, open-plan kitchens have been all the rage for new builds for just over a decade. Homeowners with older homes are spending a small fortune to open up their closed kitchens to feel like they are modernizing their homes. The reality of such kitchens is this trend won’t last forever and soon open-plan kitchens will be passé.
Room size is another thing you may have to compromise on depending on your budget. If that’s the case, you need to weigh room size with your personality. Some people use their bedroom just for sleeping. Others may find they spend a lot of time in the privacy of their bedroom. Figuring out where you spend the most time should dictate which rooms should be bigger to match your needs.
Buying a new home is an exciting time with many things to take into consideration. Your best approach is to be practical and understand you will face some tradeoffs.
