Before you begin house hunting get serious about what you really need. Sure it’s tempting to get blown away by less than important details during your searching. You may be gaga over the skylight in the bathroom but what about the fact that the home you’re drooling over sits in a flood zone? Factoring in as many aspects of the home as possible can help you make an intelligent, confident decision in the long run.
Focus heavily on neighborhoods. Although you’ll be spending most of your time in the home you should strongly consider buying a house in a town with great schools. Even if you don’t have kids you can demand a higher selling price by buying in such a neighborhood.
Use these tips to find a new home.
Get Clear
Getting clear on exactly what means the most to you is the way to go. Smart homeowners prioritize according to their predominant needs. You may be enchanted with the idea of living deep in the country, away from it all, but your work commute may be too much to handle if you have to hit the road for 2 hours or longer each way daily. Think about what matters most to you. Growing families would probably want to buy a home in a town with excellent schools. List your priorities. Work off of these needs to zero in on the home which provides you with the ideal match.
Compare and Contrast
Jogging your memory after viewing 15 homes can be virtually impossible. Which house had the sweet view? Where did you feel most comfortable or at home? By building a chart of comparisons and contrasts you can easily remember how each house stacks up in a wide range of departments. Keep track of each home’s positives and negatives. Consider recording the cost per square foot of each home as well as factors like proximity to your place of employment and property size to adequately compare and contrast the homes on your list.
Do a Thorough Walk Around
You’d be stunned by how many people rush through the home buying process. You are not trying to hold onto a hot potato; you are investing hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in a home where you’ll be spending much of your time. Patiently walk around the entire house and property on you visit to soak up the home. Carefully inspect the walls, doors and ceilings. Do you see any signs of water damage? Were the previous owners smokers? You can spot so much prior activity by carefully and thoroughly doing an in-depth walk around within the home and on the property.
If you’re looking around outside verify the property lines. You want to know where your property begins and ends to get a clear picture of the land you own.
Buy a home with the end in mind. Build a clear and detailed vision of your ideal home to better find the right match for you and your family.