When you are buying a home, there are so many things to consider. Finding the perfect home means you have to look at location, size and cost, of course. But make sure you pay attention to the details.
Where do you want to live? The location of your new home is a big deal. Think about where you live now, is it an area you like? If you’re looking for a change of scenery, do your homework. Talk to friends, drive around areas you like, look into schools, entertainment, restaurants and find what you’re looking for.
What do want in your new home? Do you want a large home? Are you looking to downsize? How many bedrooms/bathrooms do you want? Do you prefer a ranch-style home or a multi-level home? Do you want a fixer-upper or a place that’s ready to move into? Deciding what you really want is a good next step in this process. But don’t be surprised if you can’t fill every item on your wish list. Decide early on what’s really important.
Work with the right people. It can be tempting to go it alone with all of the information and listings available online. However, working with the right people will put you on the right path to finding your dream home. For first time buyers, working with a real estate agent is a great way to find the perfect house. Not only are they expert negotiators, but they know the city and can help you find a home that fits the majority of your criteria. The right mortgage professional will help you make sure you find a home that fits your budget and can help you navigate the process without all of the stress.
Here’s another quick tip: You know how important location is. Once you’ve found the home of your dreams but before you make an offer, take a bit of time to explore the neighborhood and make sure it’s right for you and your family. A good way to do that is to drop by at different times of the day. Here are some good times to stop by:
- Early morning. A normally quiet neighborhood can get a whole lot busier during the time that most people drive to work or take their children to school. Drop by in the early morning on a weekday to make sure your street doesn’t become clogged with an endless line of minivans filled with children headed to school or a speed zone for people trying to get to work on time.
- Late afternoon/early evening. Swing by and see what goes on around the time people are getting home from work and eating dinner.
- Later in the evening. If you drop by later in the evening, you can check to see if things start to quiet down when you will be getting ready for bed.
