Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your search.
Needs and wants list
Make
a list of your needs and wants. Do you need an extra bathroom, a
garage, a fenced backyard, lower utility bills? Do you want a
fireplace, a short drive to work, a lakeside view, or maybe minimal
yard work?
Once
your list is made, go back over it and decide what is most important to
your lifestyle. It may be privacy, creativity, or recreation. Decide
which items are musts and which you are willing to give up. Assign each
item a priority so that you will know what to look for as you begin
house hunting.
Location
Deciding
where you want to live may be the single most important factor in
choosing a home. Location affects your day-to-day living. Location to
employment centers, shopping centers, schools, major traffic arteries,
and other attractions are important. Evaluate location carefully.
Location of a property is one of the most significant influences on
value.
Your choice of location may be limited somewhat by the price you can afford. Even so, make sure you consider such things as:
- prices of properties and property taxes,
- distance to work, schools, shopping, and entertainment,
- proposed changes in
land use such as commercial shopping centers and roads, and potential
hazards such as flooding and noise from a nearby airport or highways.
Type of home and lot
A
single-family detached home is attractive to a lot of people because it
typically provides more living space and land area than other types of
living units. Typically the detached structure permits you greater
freedom (less restrictions) on remodeling, expanding, painting, and
altering the appearances of the structure.
If
you don't like spending leisure time on yard work, consider garden or
patio homes. These homes are set on small lots. Many garden home
developments share common garden areas.
A condominium is another
option. Condos and patio homes often offer shared greenbelts or
membership in private recreational facilities such as swimming, golf,
and tennis.
New vs. older homes
In
selecting the type of home you want, consider new versus preowned
homes. Preowned homes usually have established yards, and usually the
neighborhood or subdivision is built-out. On the other hand, older
homes may require more maintenance and need some repairs.
New
homes are not without problems. Although they require less maintenance
in the first few years, you may have to put in landscaping and call the
builder back to correct faults. If buildings are still active in area,
you may have to endure nearby construction.
Finally,
consider size and style. You may already have in mind a wood-and-glass
contemporary lodge with sun decks or a two-story Victorian mansion with
a cozy attic. Or you won't know what you like until you see it. Either
way, your REALTORŪ will listen to your preferences and help you find
the right home for you.
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