Congratulations – you’ve decided to buy a house! Whether it’s your first home or you’ve completed multiple real estate transactions, a home search can be an exhilarating and daunting proposition all at once. Where should you start in your home search process? Here are some tips for finding your dream home.
1. Type
Decide whether a single-family home, townhouse, condominium, co-op, or another type of home would best suit your current needs. If you’re open to more than one type of property, be sure to let your agent know which options you’d consider. Expanding your search can increase your alternatives, especially in buyers’ markets where inventory may be low.
2. Affordability
Before you start looking at properties online or in person, establish a budget range that you can comfortably afford. Seeking mortgage pre-approval can help you gauge the affordability of homes and may give you an advantage when submitting offers. In addition to the selling price of a home, be sure to factor in other costs such as utilities, insurance, property taxes, repairs, upgrades, and homeowner association fees, if applicable.
3. Size
Have a general idea of the minimum square footage that will work for you and your household. Consider your needs today as wells as how your requirements may change during the time you own the home. In addition to price-per-square-footage costs, keep in mind that larger homes are more expensive to heat, cool, and furnish.
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4. Layout
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Would you like the living area of your home to be separated from the bedrooms? Do you prefer a two-story layout, or would you rather have all rooms on one floor? Do you like open floorplans where the kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together or would you prefer a separate, formal dining room? Answering these questions and sharing these preferences with your agent can help narrow down which listings to tour in person.
5. Location
The location of your new home can have a big impact on your travel time and quality of life. Narrow down which neighborhoods are closest to your work, school, activities, friends, and family ,and start your home search in those areas first. Ask your agent for guidance about which locations have the highest home resale values and desirability.
6. Style
When you picture your dream home, what do you see? You might imagine a traditional, elegant house or maybe a sleek, modern design. Perhaps you’re drawn to farmhouse, craftsman, or other popular architecture. Finding a home that suits your individual style can help you feel right at home from the start.
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7. Upkeep
It’s important to estimate what will be needed to maintain the home and property, both in terms of time and budget. If you enjoy gardening, a home with a large lot and extensive landscaping may be desirable. On the other hand, if you prefer to spend your leisure time doing other things, a property with a smaller yard may be better for you.
When you’ve pinpointed your dream home, be sure to protect it and your budget with HSA home warranty protection. An HSA home warranty can help shield your budget from many of the expenses associated with home system and component malfunctions that happen over time. With HSA, you’ll also have a reliable repair resource to access when covered breakdowns occur, saving you the time and frustration of searching for a reputable, available contractor. For more information about additional home warranty benefits, visit onlinehsa.com today.