Do you know what you need to look out for when buying a home? If not, here are the top 5 things you need to consider so you can quickly move on to the next listing and not have any regrets.
1) Location and Neighborhood
No matter what type of home you buy – condo, single-family home, or townhome – you can’t change its location. That is set in stone, so to speak! That’s why you must be happy with the location and neighborhood first and foremost. Even if the home is perfect, you will never truly love it if you’re in the wrong location for your needs and lifestyle.
Things to consider: convenience to work or school; public transportation options; grocery shopping and restaurant proximity; noise and traffic level day and night; green space or yard; walkability; and the charm, safety, and tidiness of the neighborhood. What’s important to you?
2) Size and Floor Plan
Unless you plan to renovate, you don’t want to buy a home that doesn’t provide the size or layout for what you and your family really need. Is this home even practical for you?! Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need (not just want). Is the kitchen and eating area workable for making and enjoying meals? What about space for a big-screen TV if that’s on your must-have list? How about an easy indoor-outdoor flow, especially if you like entertaining on a patio or have kids who want to play in the yard?
Don’t fall in love with a cozy cottage if it doesn’t have the space. Buyers can be fooled by smaller furniture that can make a room look larger. On the flip side, a home too large for your family can be expensive to heat (or cool), furnish and maintain. Really evaluate your needs BEFORE you go house hunting to know immediately if a home’s size and floorplan work for you.
3) Closet and Storage Space
Not having enough closet or storage space can make living in a home a constant battle over stuff—one that you may never win! When looking at homes, imagine where you’ll store sports equipment, out-of-season clothes, holiday decorations, craft supplies, books, toys, linens, coats, pet supplies, a vacuum cleaner, etc. Don’t forget to look at cabinet space in the kitchen and bathrooms—is it adequate?
Remember, storage space affects the ease of your day-to-day life for you and your family. Sometimes you can make home work for yourself with some imagination. You can redesign a bedroom closet to make it more efficient if it doesn’t have a large walk-in closet (no one wants to pare down their shoes!). Or you can have built-ins that don’t take up too much floor space in an entranceway if you don’t have a mud room. Be honest with yourself about closet and storage space – can you really live in this home with all of your stuff?
4) Natural Light
It’s easy to overlook natural light when looking at homes when you’re so focused on space and the number of rooms. However, it does make a big difference in how a home feels, so don’t skip this consideration! Look for a home with good-sized windows that are well-placed throughout. Most people don’t want a dark and dreary home.
Remember that where a home is positioned affects how much natural light it gets and can influence heating and cooling bills as well. A south-facing home will maximize natural light. If you really like a home, it’s good to visit it at a different time of day to see how much natural light it gets.
