How To Find The Right House For You: 5 Steps to Pick Your Dream Home
Are you wondering how to find the right house for you? Not only are there many design features that you might want, but price, location, and other factors all play a role in the decision-making process. Selecting a home isn’t just about finding the right atmosphere or picking that perfect kitchen. Instead, a house must be two things at once:
- A home for you and your family to nurture and grow in. You need a place that give you a sense of belonging.
- An investment in your future, whether you sell for retirement or leave as an inheritance. After all, homes are still one of the best investments for Americans.
The hardest part in trying to find the right house for you is narrowing down the criteria of what to look for in a home. Here are 5 key steps you can use now on how to find the right house for you:
- Define the most important feature of a home
- Pick the right realtor
- Have a realistic budget
- Research the neighborhood
- Know what you repairs you can handle
Define the most important feature of a home
When selecting a home for you and your family, it is important to define the feature that will make your life easier and better. Most people consider kitchen space, location, and number of bedrooms as deciding factors when choosing a home.
In our opinion, you need one definable feature that is a must-have for any future home. Your house might need to be close to work, needs a large backyard, or it may have an office space. Pick one feature that will immediately knock out any house that does not have this.
Next, create a list of the top three priorities after this feature. This list saves you and your realtor time. Don’t waste your time with houses that don’t fit your top features. Furthermore, you can save yourself some money by focusing on specific homes and making timely offers.
Pick the right realtor
Finding the right realtor can make all the difference in the world when it comes to how to find the right house for you. The right real estate partner can help find homes that aren’t listed on Zillow, and secure homes at affordable prices.
Importantly, a good realtor will help first-time home buyers navigate the home buying process. They can walk you through the process of buying a starter home and recommend people that can help you:
- Find out how to get pre-qualified
- Narrow down your shopping list
- Get a home inspection
- Negotiate price
- Get a home appraisal
- And much more!
Whether you are downsizing your home for retirement or purchasing a home for the first time, the right real estate agent can put you in your dream home. Not only that, but they can help you negotiate the best price for the home in the given market.
Have a realistic budget
Just because you can afford a $300,000 home on paper might not realistically translate to buying that home. Mortgage insurance, school loans, and living expenses all play a factor when purchasing a home.
You don’t want to be house poor.
It’s best to talk with your loan service provider about what you can realistically afford. Doing things like going on vacation, creating a college fund for your kids, and saving extra cash regularly can all be put in jeopardy should you go to the highest point of your budget.
Look at your average living expenses now and make sure buying a home won’t cut into some of your leisurely activities. In addition, know that having a realistic budget may mean you need to save up a bigger down payment or buy a cheaper home.
Research the neighborhood
Neighborhoods are one of the key pieces of being happy in your new home. You are going to be surrounded by the same people, landmarks, and events where you live. Decide what you can live next to and what you can’t.
If you want to know how to find the right house for you then you need to research the area you will be living in. Check out schools zones, crime rates, and tax codes in your area, especially if you are moving from a new state.
Know what repairs you can handle
Humans often underestimate how hard a project will be before starting. It’s why we all give up our New Year’s resolution after a couple of weeks. It’s no different with a house. If you find several flaws after a home inspection and you will have to fix them yourself, use caution.
Don’t take on more than you can handle. If you are a new homeowner or don’t work in construction, consider a newly built home over one that needs repairs. The last thing you want to deal with after buying a home for the first time is discovering a repair that will keep you from moving in.
Be smart. Don’t overestimate your construction abilities. Get a home inspection.
Are you thinking about buying a home? Don’t know where to start or how to find the best prices on the dream homes you want? At MWT Realty, we have your back! We will find you the best prices and help walk you through the process of buying a home. Contact us today to see how we can help you find your dream home.
