Searching for Your Next Home
Maybe you are a first time home buyer. Perhaps it has been a number of years since you last purchased a home. In either event, there are a few expectations that you need to shape in order to make this a pleasant and rewarding experience. For most people, price is the single largest factor in buying a home. Everything else relates to price in one way or another. Here are a few considerations…
What can you afford versus what are you willing to afford? Two different concepts here, right? Another question; do you want to be strapped with a monthly mortgage that you can barely pay while worrying about the rest of your monthly expenses? Do yourself a favor and visit some websites that feature mortgage calculators (this website included). Play with the numbers until you find a price you are capable AND willing to pay.
Priorities. Decide what is most important. Many new couples, getting ready for children, state that a good school district is important. Is it? Probably not right now. In the future it is most certainly important, but for the next five or so years it might not be a top consideration. Perhaps a focus on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms should be a higher priority. Same is true when considering a wet-bar versus extra storage space. You get the idea. Sit down and write up a list of priorities then rank them in order of importance. Let this list be your guide to searching for a new home.
A summary of ideas:
1. Price
2. Bedroom & Bathroom combo
3. Basement vs Slab (one tends to be on a sloped lot, the other a level lot).
4. Age of home.
5. School district
6. Proximity to work, grocery store, shopping, schools, etc.
7. Lot size. A larger lot usually equates to an older home or a more expensive home.
8. Specialty features (ie, in-ground pool, wet bar, in-law suite, etc).
9. What is important to you?
Once you have established your list, contact an agent to begin your search. Everyone is different when it comes to searching for a home. A real estate professional will be able to gauge your style and adapt a plan most suitable to your needs (if not, go find another agent!).
We would love to be your next agent when the time is right. Please use this website to start your online search for your next home. Give us a call or send an email when you are ready for a tour of homes!
