Table of Contents
- 1. Make a List of Your âMust-havesâ
- 2. Confirm Your Budget (And Stick to It)
- 3. Carefully Consider Location
- 4. Check Out the School Districts
- 5. Leave Yourself Room to Grow
- 6. Compare Your Options
- 7. Find a Great Realtor
- 8. Check Out Crime Statistics
- 9. Look for Amenities and Activities
- 10. Be Patient
- Beyond the House Buying Guide: Prepare for What Comes Next
A new home is one of the biggest investments youâll make in your lifetime. Since most families spend nine or more years living in a home, itâs important that you make an informed decision before you buy.
Not sure exactly what to look for? No problem! The following house buying guide will help you cover all your bases and pick the perfect home for your family.
1. Make a List of Your âMust-havesâ
Before you start looking at homes, itâs a good idea to make a list of âmust-haves.â This is everything you really want in a home. Often, youâll start with a long list, and find that you need to narrow it down to be more realistic.
Start with your original list, then split it into two lists. One of the things you absolutely must have, and a second list of features that would be nice to have. Itâs also a good idea to write down anything that you absolutely donât want.
Making these lists and sharing them with your real estate agent will help you avoid wasting everybodyâs time by looking at homes that simply arenât right.
That being said, keep an open mind. Sometimes, realtors can find a property thatâs perfect for you even though it doesnât fit your lists.
2. Confirm Your Budget (And Stick to It)
Itâs a great idea to speak with a lender right away and get pre-qualified for a loan. This will help you narrow down your budget and let you know how much cash youâll need to come up with upfront.
Once youâve decided on a budget, stick to it. Itâs easy to let emotions get in the way, and the last thing you want to do is buy a home that you really canât comfortably afford.
Pre-qualification can also put you at an advantage when itâs time to put in an offer. Often, sellers wonât consider offers from buyers that arenât pre-qualified. If you wait to see a lender until youâve found your dream home, youâll run the risk of losing it.
3. Carefully Consider Location
There are a lot of things you can change about a home. You can always paint it, remodel, or add more rooms. The one thing you canât do, however, is pick it up and move it to a new neighborhood.
Before you put an offer in on a home, make sure the location is acceptable to everyone in the family. Consider the length of everybodyâs commute, the local traffic, and whether itâs conveniently located near shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
4. Check Out the School Districts
Great school districts are extremely important for families with children. Not only do you want your children to get the best possible education but buying a home thatâs located near excellent schools will help boost your resale value.
Even if you donât have children, the school districts make a difference. When it comes time to sell your home, it will impact both the speed at which your home sells and the price youâll get for it.
5. Leave Yourself Room to Grow
Be careful about choosing a home that has the exact number of bedrooms you need. Todayâs families are dynamic, and itâs always possible that youâll need extra space for an aging parent, returning college student, or an unexpected grandchild.
Itâs a great idea to find a home with a bonus room like an office or den that you could turn into an extra bedroom if necessary.
6. Compare Your Options
The internet is a great resource for finding homes for sale. Before you head out on your search, take a look online to see whatâs available in your area. Websites like HomesinMeridian.com are a wealth of information.
7. Find a Great Realtor
Although you can find a lot of information about homes online, donât underestimate how much the skills and knowledge of a good realtor can help with your home search. Your realtor can help you find homes that arenât even listed yet. Even better, he or she will stay by your side and help you through the negotiation process and anything else that comes up along the way.
8. Check Out Crime Statistics
Youâll definitely want to research the neighborhood youâre considering before you make an offer on a home. Even the most gorgeous house will be a nightmare if itâs in a high-crime area where you and your family donât feel safe. Sites like Crime Reports or Area Vibes are great resources for learning more about a neighborhood.
9. Look for Amenities and Activities
Is it important for you to live in a home thatâs close to parks, community recreation centers, or public swimming pools? Check out all of the local amenities to make sure youâll have easy access to the resources and activities that your family needs.
10. Be Patient
Finding the perfect home isnât always easy. Make sure you stay patient and donât make your decisions based on emotions. If you stick with the advice provided, youâll eventually find the home that you and your family have been dreaming of.
Most importantly, donât settle for a home thatâs not quite right. Itâs better to stay where you are or rent for a while than to make a decision youâll regret for years.
Beyond the House Buying Guide: Prepare for What Comes Next
Hopefully this handy house buying guide has told you everything you need to know so you can find the perfect home for your family. Once you purchase your home, youâll need to learn how to decorate it, maintain it, and enjoy every day you spend in it.
Luckily, the In News Weekly website has plenty of tips and tricks to help you do just that. Come back often to check out our blog. Youâre sure to find great information that youâll wish you knew sooner.