Finding the perfect home is a feat that’s hard to accomplish. But finding a home you love that doesn’t work for one reason or another is fairly common. Have you ever looked at a house and thought, “I could live there!” But had no real idea of what ‘living there’ actually entailed?
Many eager home buyers find themselves fantasizing over properties with all of the bells and whistles on their wishlist but in a home that may not be a great match. This can be especially relevant for first-time homebuyers who come into the process excited and with high expectations.
If you’re ready to purchase a home but don’t want to fall into the disappointment trap, ask these critical questions when seriously considering purchasing a property.
1. Does the home meet your essential criteria?
Grab a pen and paper, write down a list of must-haves in your future home, and add items that would be a bonus to find. You can think of this list as your wants and needs. Then, when you start looking at available properties, use your needs list to ensure everything you have to have in this home is currently there, or you have a plan for in the future. The wants list is also great to see what items may fall onto this with each property and how much work would be required to add them.
Sticking to your lists while browsing for homes can help eliminate properties that drive the lust factor but don’t actually suit your and your family’s needs. When determining essential criteria in a prospective house, it’s important also to consider which elements you’d like to be move-in ready and what you’d be willing to renovate down the road.
2. Can you afford the purchase?
Before you even start home browsing, knowing where your budget falls and what you can actually afford is important. While you’ll probably know how much money you can put down and what size home you have in mind, getting pre-approved for a mortgage will help solidify which homes you can view and which are simply out of your price range.
Account for the essential home-buying fees for inspection, closing costs, and working with a professional agent. In addition to furnishing a home, be prepared to deal with standard maintenance to the roof, HVAC system, plumbing, and more.
3. Does the location check your boxes?
When shopping for a house, you should consider the location you want to be in proximity to places you frequent including work, school, other family members, and other frequent spots you love. Location is personal and gives meaning to your wants and needs. Some homebuyers are willing to expand the boundaries of their home search to find the right spot while others will take on a fixer-upper to be in their optimal location.
Where do you fall in that scale? First, consider location and then search within that perimeter or region.
4. Is the community what you’re wanting?
Once you nail down the location, you must consider the neighborhood or area you’re looking for homes in. What you want in a community can help determine where you actually look for homes. Do you want to be in a community with young children or do you prefer a remote location with a lot of land and few neighbors?
A qualified real estate professional like the team at the Matt Weaver Group can provide you with information on various neighborhoods to help narrow down which one is a perfect match.
Find The Perfect Home For You Today!
While finding the perfect home can be challenging, having the right team there to help you every step of the way makes the process that much easier and more enjoyable. For those looking to purchase a home in the Central Pennsylvania area, the Matt Weaver Group is here to help. Contact us today to get started on your home search!
