Do you know how to choose a home that really suits you? Is it a feeling you get or is it a matter of simple requirements that must be met?

How to Choose a Home

1. Location, location, location! You can change many things about a house, but you can’t change the neighborhood. Pick a neighborhood that fits the lifestyle you want.
2. Have a vision. Look beyond ugly paint colors, carpeting, and furniture. Not everyone understands the importance of staging a home for sale. If you’re not afraid to open a can of paint or pull up some carpet, you’ll reap the rewards by having a blank canvas to create your own look and feel.
3. Bring a contractor. Bring an expert with you for a second look at a house you like. Remember that vision stuff? It applies to other things like the layout of the house, kitchens and bathrooms.
4. Invest wisely. When you buy a home, you and your mortgage lender will look at “comps”, or the values of comparable homes near the one you want to buy. If you decide on a fixer-upper and you want to invest $25,000 in renovations, add that amount to the sale price and see if it matches up with the comps.
5. Focus on the positive. Don’t get hung up on the fact that the bathroom doesn’t have a double vanity, but focus instead on what the house does have that can contribute to the lifestyle you want.
6. Don’t ignore your gut. Some houses just feel cold, and some make you heart feel happy.  Homes have different vibes. The warm and fuzzies matter! Pay attention to them.
7. Be patient and assertive. A house that makes you feel great makes others feel great too.

What are your “must-have” and “nice-to-have” attributes in a new home?

Being well thought will make your shopping easy, light, and a Home Sweet Home experience.