House hunting is exhausting - at least in can be. You have your list of priorities. You desperately want that perfect home.You want to get it right. There’s nothing more stressful than realizing you put in an offer on a home you can’t possibly afford or find out that you don’t even want.
But how do you ensure you are buying the perfect home? Here are a few aspects you should consider.
Affordability
You have hopefully set a budget. And stuck to it. But you may want to check in on what other expenses you should be made aware of. How much is the hydro going to cost per month? How much are you going to be paying for water? It might be worthwhile to inquire into what the previous owner paid. Or even, consider doing your own research. Make sure you’re away of taxes and other fees as well.
Purpose
What is the purpose of this place? Is it your forever home? Will you start a family here? Do you plan on renting it out? These are other aspects you should take into consideration. Do you intend to sell in the next 5 years? 10 years? Think about these things now. A house is an investment. Make sure you know what you plan on doing with the place.
Transportation Access
Although people say you shouldn’t take your commute into consideration when buying a home, you really should. This comes down to your day-to-day stressors. If you have no plans on retiring soon, the location and proximity to your work will matter. As they say, time is money.
Further, if you take public transportation - make sure there are accessible stops close by. How long will it take you by bus or train to get to work? Look it up and think it over.
The Proximity of Schools, Hospital, Clinics, & Other Amenities
If you have a family or want to start a family, look around the neighbourhood. Does it work for this? Are there schools close by? What about if you got sick? Is there an easy clinic go-to around? There are also grocery stores, the gym, and other aspects of your life you may want to think about before buying any home. Weight the pros and cons. And look at your list of priorities. What are you willing to compromise? In contrast, what aren’t you?
In addition, we can offer up a few tips to help you through this trying time. If you don’t know much about the housing market, look into hiring a real estate agent or someone that is familiar with the area. They can help you get it right, and will know what you should be thinking about and when. Don’t forget to always get a house inspection. The perfect home does not involve finding out you need to replace the roof less than 6 months in.
Determine what you need and find out if the house offers it or not. It doesn’t haven’t to be complicated, but you do have to be organized! Sit down and gather up lists, research, and get work! It’ll be worth your time in the long run.
David Hakimi is a real estate agent in Erie, Colorado. His team is one of the top real estate teams at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate.