Homeownership is a complex and heartwarming journey. The sense of putting down roots and giving your family a stable environment to grow in is the impetus behind most people’s desire to buy a home.
This means that sometimes, emotion can play a big role in choosing a home. While not a bad thing, if you get too distracted by how the property makes you feel, you may unwittingly ignore some major red flags. That is why it is a good idea to sit down and write out a list of important things to you. This can save you money in the long run.
Consult your realtor and make a list of items and factors that are important to you and look out for these when viewing potential houses. It can also be a good way to weed out sellers. Someone who answers your questions forthrightly is likely, to be honest about the amount of work the home needs. Someone who seems to be avoiding your questions or giving half-answers may be hiding issues with the home that could cause you a big financial drain.
A List Will Save You from Unpleasant Surprises
Imagine buying a beautiful house and only finding out after the closing that the gutters are so old they have caused structural damage. That is a major renovation with huge costs that could have been avoided if you had checked beforehand.
With prior knowledge, your realtor could have worked out a deal with the seller. The seller could then take on the whole or partial cost of replacing the old gutters with updated metal gutters that protect the home and do their job.
A List Will Help You Stick to Your Budget
You need to keep your options open and be flexible. It is important to have non-negotiable items for your home, but they can even come with more flexibility.
Always consider the additional costs that will come with the new house and do not make an offer, which would stretch your budget. You can tell yourself that you can afford it with some finagling, but home renovation estimates are always lower than what you will end up paying. Sticking to your list and refusing to deviate will help you stick to your budget and reject houses that look good but cost more. The house that is right for you will be right for your budget.
Location, Location, Location
There is no reason to move and buy a house if it does not make your commute or daily life easier to manage.
Do you want an easier commute to work? Do you want to be close to downtown? Is there a community center or pool that you would like to be close to? How close is the closest highway? Are there any parks within walking distance for your kids and dogs? Is the house on the main road? Do you prefer a cul-de-sac?
The answers to these questions should be on your list so that your realtor will only show you houses that suit your needs. This will lessen the amount of time you both spend on unnecessary visits, and you could find your dream home much sooner than you had imagined.
How Many Bedrooms and Bathrooms Do You Need
Some older homes only have one bathroom, and this can cause chaos if everyone needs to get ready at the same time. More modern homes will have more bathrooms, but you still need to check if they are full baths with all the bells and whistles or half baths with just a shower and no toilet. The convenience of bathrooms is greater convenience for you and your family.
The number of bedrooms in a house can be a factor in the selling price. But it is just as important a factor for you as the potential buyer. Do you need enough bedrooms for your current family? Are you expecting to add more children to your family? Will you have overnight guests often? These are all important considerations to help determine if a house is suitable for your family’s needs.
There is so much that goes into buying a house, and rightly so, it is one of the biggest financial undertakings of your life. It should be taken cautiously and with much planning. When you buy a house, you have to become a bit of an expert on the things that revolve around it.
Whether it is hiring home inspectors or checking appliance warranties, there is a lot to know and factor into the purchase. It can feel daunting, and the pressure to make a good choice can be stressful; therefore, making this list and checking it twice will help ease the process a great deal.
