6 Tips to Find Your Dream Home

Now that you’re ready and able to buy a home, you want to be sure it suits you and your family. Follow these six tips to help you find a great home and neighborhood that are a perfect fit: your dream home.

Look for one you can see yourself living in

When you’re searching for a home, you should be able to envision raising a family in it; ideally, you should be there at least five or six years. Searching for, buying, and moving takes a great deal time, effort, and money.

Remaining in the home you buy will minimize those additional costs. Spending more time in your home means you can ride out a real estate market downturn.

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Decide on what type you like and go for it

Buying a home is not a “one size fits all” market. Would you rather live in a house, townhome, condo, etc.? Which works best for you and your growing family?

For instance, a condo is great for someone who wants a “lock it and leave it” lifestyle, but it won’t work if you don’t like close-knit neighbors. On the other hand, owning your own single-family lot may give you a more private environment, but means mowing the lawn and perhaps shoveling snow.

Check out the neighbors and surrounding area

When you buy a home, you’re also buying a neighborhood, so you’d better make sure you like it. You may love your new home, but what about the next-door neighbors?

Are they loud and obnoxious? Is your home located near noisy railroad tracks or across from a busy school? You should consider these aspects before purchasing a home.

Buy a home you can grow with

Purchase a home that’s conducive to your changing needs and lifestyle. For example, if you plan to have more children, will there be enough room for a new baby?

Your ideal home should be large enough to accommodate your future plans, or at least offer the potential for building on, down the road.

Location, location, location

As they say in real estate, location is everything. Buying a dream home means nothing if you don’t like the location.

If you currently have children, a home on a quiet, safe cul-de-sac will likely work better than one that’s next to a highway. Also, the one on a cul-de-sac is probably worth more and may achieve a significant hike in price if you decide to sell. Think location first, and home second.

Only buy what you can afford

Everyone desires to live in the home of their dreams, but at what cost? What’s the point of living in the perfect home if you can’t afford a vacation or go out for dinner once in a while?

Being house poor is no fun. Take a close look at your financial situation before you consider buying a home. It’s wiser to purchase a place you can afford and keep your current lifestyle than one where you’ll have to overextend your finances just to live there; it’s not worth it.

Use these savvy home-searching tips to get into a home that’s ideal for you; one that will bring you pleasure for years to come.