Looking for the perfect home is always an exciting time. We have our head full of ideas of how it should be, how many rooms we want, do we want a bigger yard or more accommodation?
Unfortunately, this is a tricky path to walk on and we need to consider a solid checklist to ensure we’re searching for the right place.
Consulting with professionals in the real estate world, we have put together the best tips on what you need to consider, moving toward finding the perfect place for yourself.
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“With the nation struggling to keep up with housing needs, it's no secret that the industry is doing everything it can to meet the demand. The problem is, nowadays, there's a huge focus on building up quick, affordable housing and not much else.
“This has left us in a position where many neighborhoods simply have little to no amenities, whether that be doctors’ offices, drug stores, and in extreme cases even schools and offices within a reasonable radius.
“While these environments are fine if you're willing to commute, for families and couples looking to be part of the community, this has become a real problem.
“I always urge everyone looking to buy the perfect home to really pay attention to the local community developments and ask themselves whether they are happy moving into a shell community or are looking for something a little more than that.”
Cathryn Bailey is the founder of Bomisch.com, a site dedicated to home renovations.
“Examine the immediate vicinity of the residence. Drive within a two-mile radius of your house to see what is around. Ascertain that it is in a location where you feel secure. Determine the school district you will attend. Even if you do not have children, you may want to consider the school district for resale purposes. You may also want to try commuting to work and see how long it takes.” (Richard Mews)
“Conduct a market analysis of the area's property values. Stalk your area and observe it at all hours of the day. Is this a neighborhood that is family-friendly? You might even knock on your neighbors' doors prior to making a purchase. That I have done.” (Richard Mews)
“The home inspector will examine every aspect of the property and provide you with an unbiased assessment. Additionally, they will inform you of the home's actual worth. It's preferable to spend a few hundred dollars on a home inspection than to discover the property has many issues.”
Richard Mews, CEO Sell With Richard
“Finding the perfect home can be a vastly difficult and complex process, however, there are a few tips to help ease it up. Firstly. it is important to set your limits - setting a maximum sum you are willing to invest in it, choosing an area or city, the number of people living in it and other possible limitations you may need.” (Darren Nix)
“Is having two bathrooms or a big garden more important to you? And is it more about the budget or are you willing to splurge for some luxury? I would suggest making a list of 5 main priorities (in order) which you just require from your home- it can help boil down the search options to those you are only genuinely willing to consider.” (Darren Nix)
“While it may be attractive to imagine finding your perfect house all on your own, it is more often than not not the best choice. If you can spare some money to invest into a professional real estate agent who is well-versed within the field and can not only make the home search far less time and energy consuming, but he or she can also suggest the type and kind of home they believe to be best for you. And bear in mind, your home will be one of the biggest investments you make in your lifetime, so better to invest in the right one than choose the wrong one and regret it later - after all, this will be the place you'll spend most your time in, so consult a professional about your options first and foremost.”
Darren Nix, Founder of Steadily Landlord Insurance
“To find what I thought was the perfect home, I had to accept that there are no perfect homes. About two years ago, my husband and I started looking for a home to fulfill several requirements- one, a place where he could store his business equipment. I quickly learned what I advise my clients to be true, which is set realistic expectations. To do this, I have my clients put the non-negotiables on one column and the desirables on the other.
“For instance, one of the reasons my husband and I were looking to move was specifically to combine a business location with our living space. That is a non-negotiable. I wanted a separate master bedroom suite. That was non-negotiable. I preferred to have main-level laundry. That was desirable. Needless to say, we met our non-negotiables but had to let go of the desire for the main level laundry room. This is exactly what I explain to my clients.
“I find that when first-time home-buyers, in particular, first start looking, they have rose-colored glasses on. And after a few house visits, they quickly take them off.”
Denise Supplee is the Co-Founder of SparkRental
