Ready to Buy a House? Here’s How to Find “The One”
Buying a new home is an exciting time, and there’s so much to be aware of as you go through the process. Whether you’re just beginning or you’ve already started your search, you may be wondering how you’ll find “the one” for you – and how you’ll know when you do. For starters, you’ll want to ensure the home checks off most of the items on your must-have list. The home doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to work for you.
Considerations to make
At the start of your home search, your real estate agent will need to have a basic guideline of what you’re looking for in order to find available homes – things like the number of rooms, size, and desired location. There are some other valuable considerations that can help you and your agent narrow down options, too. Below, we’ll go over a few of the more significant ones.
One story or two?
You may have an approximate square footage in mind, but you’ll also need to determine if you prefer the layout split into two floors or on a single level. Sometimes, there are very real reasons for needing a one-story home. For example, perhaps someone in your family has a health concern and cannot climb stairs, or maybe you plan to have your parents move in when they become older. A two-story home may even work in one of those scenarios, as long as there are a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. Making these considerations upfront will help ensure you make a wise investment for the long term.
New or old
This was something I didn’t think too much about as we started our home search, but quickly realized the age of a home did matter to me. I loved the charm of some older homes but wasn’t prepared for the wear and tear and outdated kitchens, bathrooms and appliances! Let’s just say it only took going in and out of two old homes to determine it wasn’t the right option for us. If you’re on the fence about new vs. old homes, you may want to think through these items in order to come to a consensus:
Are you prepared to replace major systems (like a roof or an HVAC unit) within several years of buying the home? It’s very likely you’ll encounter this in an older home, unless the current owner made recent improvements.
Are you ready to take on a renovation? Maybe aesthetics aren’t too important to you – if that’s the case, no need to plan for this right away. However, if you plan to sell the home eventually, it’ll be much easier if you’ve made updates throughout. If you have immediate renovations you’d like to take on, like a fixer upper, then you may have financing options to take on such projects.
Do you want a space filled to the brim with charm? Often, new construction can be pretty plain and lacks some of the uniqueness that older homes tend to have. But just remember, you can always make it your own, no matter the age of the home.
Land or no land?
Looking for a space for your kids or pets to run around? Or dread the thought of maintaining a lawn? If you fall into the latter, a zero lot line home may be the best option for you. Regardless of your preference, it’s important to let your real estate agent know ahead of time so you’ll only view homes that meet your wants and needs.
Do schools matter?
If you have school-aged children, is a good public school system important to you? If you want to stick with public school, chances are you’ve already researched the area to find the best school district.
Want to learn more about the school systems in your area? Your real estate agent is a great resource, along with the state education department – even a simple Google search might provide the info you need.
If private school is your preference, you might be able to expand your search area since you don’t need to live in a specific school zone.
Landing your dream home
The process of searching for and purchasing the “right” home may seem overwhelming, but if you think carefully about your preferences and what things are non-negotiable, it will make the experience that much easier. It also doesn’t hurt to use these factors to your advantage:
A good real estate agent – There’s certainly no shortage of agents to help you find a home, but finding one you mesh well with can make the experience much more enjoyable and even give you an advantage. When we bought our house, we were fortunate to have an agent that treated us like family, fully understood all of our needs in a home and gave us great pointers on the local area. As a result, we quickly found the right home for us.
A good lender – Your mortgage banker will be a vital source of knowledge from the very beginning, so find someone you feel comfortable asking for advice and suggestions throughout the home buying process.
Time – Don’t rush yourself through buying a home – time is on your side. Yes, in a hot real estate market, you’ll often need to act swiftly to make an offer – but take enough time to ensure you’re making a smart decision before signing on the dotted line.
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, so it’s important to ensure your new house meets your needs.