Don’t Just Buy a House: How to Choose a Home
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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