Is 2014 the year you are planning to buy your first home? It’s always exciting when you’re ready to look at buying a home as opposed to renting. When you decide to take the plunge and purchase a new, or “new-to-
you” home, you’re thrilled knowing that it is going to be completely yours; you’ll be able to do exactly what you want with it. You can renovate it completely or paint it in the colors you like. You can get it fitted with the latest appliances or install a custom closet for all those clothes. Still, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you begin to search for your perfect home:
1.Is it within your budget? Be realistic with what you can afford and think about your long term income. If you get a mortgage based on the incomes of two people and then, one person leaves their job, the other person might have to struggle to make ends meet. Give consideration to what your future employment plans are before buying a home.
2.Is the transportation reliable? If you’re buying in an urban area, you don’t always need to have a car. In some places, in fact, it might be better if you rely on public transportation to avoid parking hassles and car payments. Make sure you find out what buses, trains etc. come to the neighborhood you’re considering.
3.Are there shops close by? You might think that you’re ok with driving half an hour to the grocery store if you can have a lot of space in your home. However, you’ll probably regret this decision when you actually have to start getting groceries in your new home. Be practical about what shops, restaurants etc. you need to have close by to suit your lifestyle. It’s always nice to know that you can just pop out to get a few things instead of having to drive or walk a long distance.
4.Are there good schools in the neighborhood? If you have children, this is obviously an important consideration for you and not something that you can compromise on. Make sure you research the schools, playgrounds and other activities for children in the vicinity before you buy.
5.How does it feel? A home may seem perfect on paper. Maybe it has all the conveniences you desire but just lacks a certain something you can’t quite put your finger on…It could be a lack of light or maybe the basement is a bit damp. If you really think that there’s something about the house or apartment that could prevent you from being happy in the long run, make sure you don’t ignore your instincts.
Coldwell Banker Complete Real Estate Team members are always ready to help you brainstorm about what you need from your new home. Contact us for more tips on what to look out for before buying your home.
