With February being the month of love, I want to help you find a home that you can truly fall in love with. Much like choosing the right partner, finding the perfect home often requires substantial thought and consideration.
Whether you are buying your first starter home or upgrading to a larger home to better suit your needs, there are many things to keep in mind throughout the entire process. It can really benefit you to have a real estate agent help you make some of the tough decisions and determine what you’re really looking for.
Fit your lifestyle
Choose a home that makes sense for your day-to-day life. When thinking of the perfect home, do you envision a quaint and quiet home in the suburbs or a high-rise condo in a bustling city center? Do you need extra space for your children, or aging parents? Select a home that logically fits your needs and lifestyle.
Shopping for your first home? You don’t have to buy your forever home right away. It makes more sense to find a home that fits your current life rather than trying to plan for the future. That said, the average home buyer tends to stay in their home for approximately six years, so ensure that you find a home that fits well but can also last until you’re ready to transition.
Location is key
Consider the places you spend the most time. If you work downtown, it makes more sense to try and find a location that won’t lead to a 2-hour daily commute. If you rely on public transportation to get around, look at what is available in your prospective neighborhood. If your children are a top priority, it makes sense to consider the nearby schools and activities available to them. Location is everything, so be sure to keep that element in mind when look for your future home.
Fixer upper?
Do old homes speak to you, or would you prefer to live in a modern building with plenty of amenities right in the building? This decision can heavily play into where you even choose to look for a home. Development is at an all-time high, so finding the latter type of home is easier every day. But don’t rule out putting a little bit of elbow grease into an older home to make it the perfect fit.
There are pros and cons to both old and new homes. Older homes may seem fun and fit your style but can require a substantial amount of time and money to remodel or build additions to suit your needs. First time homebuyers often underestimate the amount of both needed for a fixer upper. Plus, you can very often inherit underlying problems that can be frustrating and expensive to fix or replace. However, new construction can lack the character that you may be seeking, so just be sure to weigh all of your options prior to making a final decision.
Save the animals
Your pet is a part of you and your family, so be sure to keep them in mind when you are looking for a home. Be upfront about having a pet, particularly if you have a larger animal, to ensure that there are no rules or regulations preventing you from keeping them in your home. Some condos have strict homeowner association restrictions on pets, particularly regarding size and number allowed.
If you are looking for a detached, single family home, take a look at the yard space to ensure that your pet will be safe and happy. Also, keep the surrounding streets and traffic in mind, for daily walks, etc.
Consider Resale Value
Chances are, you will not live in your home forever. As such, always consider the potential resale value of your prospective home, especially if you intend to do some work on it. Balance out what you can currently afford with what will be easier to sell in the future. Buying the only one-bedroom unit in a building full of two or three-bedroom condos can decrease the likelihood of being able to get a good price on it when you want to later sell it.
Do some research and find out if there is any major construction or infrastructure changes coming to your neighborhood that could potentially affect your home. It could severely affect your resale value if a new major arterial or form of public transportation is built behind your home.
These are just a few of the major considerations to keep in mind when house hunting. If the task seems daunting, don’t worry, that is what a trusted and trained real estate agent is for. I am happy to help you find the home you are meant to be with – your true love of a home. Give me a call today to start going over some options!
