How to Look for a Home
You're about to set out on one of the most fundamental journeys you will ever make in life - the road to the American dream of home ownership. Congratulations! But before you start looking, it’s important to step back and think about what you want and need in your future home. This is your time to dream. Follow these easy steps to make looking for a home easier than ever.
The first step to home ownership is to make a list of your needs and wants in a home. This is much harder than it sounds. Many homebuyers are looking for a home that “just feels right” rather than tangible requirements and features. If you find yourself with this mentality, start with the basics, such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms you'll need.
If you're having trouble, take a break. Think of your childhood home and other homes in you past that have stuck in your mind. Happy times in childhood homes will unconsciously cause buyers to look for a similar home, but it’s important to actually write down what it is you liked about the home aside from the smell of grandma’s cookies. Perhaps it’s the gourmet kitchen that has always appealed to you or the large back yard that you just can’t live without. When it comes to real estate, there's nothing wrong with dreaming about your match made in heaven.
Next, make a list of the things you don't want in your home -- start with the general environment. Have you ever visited a neighborhood where you thought to yourself, “I wouldn’t want to live here”? Think about what made you feel that way and write it down. Consider economic reasons as well. Think ahead to the day you may be selling the home. It may not bother you to live near the interstate but it may affect the resale value of your property. If you need a lot of privacy from neighbors, put “no attached home” on the list. If you are claustrophobic, add “no small rooms” and so forth.
Begin the actual search process by looking at a map. Find the place you want to be in - this could be within a specific school district or a few zip codes. Draw a circle approximately 1 inch wide completely around the area. That’s where you begin your search.
Chart the distance to and from your most often visited destinations and decide how far you want to travel. Shopping centers, schools, post office, workplace and hospitals are just a few places that people usually want to remain close to.
Thoroughly observe the neighborhoods you are interested in. Check out the other homes in the area. Go with your gut feelings - does the neighborhood look like it’s on a downward trend? Drive through the streets at night. Are they safe and quiet? Even better, talk to someone who lives there to really get the inside scoop on the area.
Looking for a new home can be an exciting part of the home-buying process, especially if you have a clear understanding of what you want. So before you look, figure out what you can and can't live without, then go out and turn your vision into a reality.