You’ve been pre-approved and know what you can afford, so it’s time to start home shopping. But the hunt for your dream home will stall rapidly if you don’t know what that “dream” looks like.
It’s easy to talk in generalities about wanting a “big” house or an “older” home. But in order to better target your real estate search, you must think specifically about your dream dwelling. Will your “big” house be 2,400 square feet or 5,000? When you say “older” home, do you mean one built pre-1900, or pre-1980?
Before you visit another open house, sit down and make a list of your needs and wants — and yes, those are two different things. You may want a pool, but you probably could live without it. (Plus, it’s worth considering that having a pool could raise your home insurance costs.)
Understand that your requirements list will likely change as you learn more about your housing options. Proximity to the beach may start as a priority, for example, but once you see the size of ocean-front homes you can get in your price range, you may decide a short drive to the water is bearable. Unless you have an unlimited budget, it’s likely you’ll need to make compromises along the way.
Use the tips below to help you pinpoint what you like and don’t like about your current home, so you can find more comfort and pleasure in your dream home. Then, make time to rank specific home features as “Must Have,” “Like to Have” or “Don’t Care.”
Know your finances
Getting your finances in order before searching for your dream home can make all the difference in a competitive market. Determining your budget and how much financial wiggle room you have can help put your must-haves more clearly into view.
Consider your current lifestyle and plan for the future
You may have a picture-perfect home in mind, or you may not know where to even start when it comes to imagining your future place to live. It may help to first consider your basic needs and non-negotiables in a home. Begin by considering where you live now — what are your favorite things about your home, and what do you need to change?
Pick your preferred home style and type
Once you have the basics figured out, it can help lay the groundwork for determining what features you want in a house. Consider the different types of houses on the market in the neighborhoods where you want to buy, and remember you can use keywords when searching for homes on Zillow to help narrow down your options.
Choose a location
You can change your paint colors to refresh the feel of your home, or add an extension to increase your square footage, but you can’t alter where your home is located. When finding your dream home, it’s easy to get caught up in its features, but you should also consider your surroundings:
Get to know the neighborhood
Think you’ve found the perfect home in the perfect area? Before buying, it’s still always a good idea to explore the neighborhood.
Document your visit
When it’s time to take your home tour, check the features against the checklist you made. Do you need to re-evaluate any of your must-haves?
Get a feel for the home and consider anything you may have left off of your list. Remember, paint can be replaced and staged furniture will change, but there are aspects that can’t change so easily.
Once you know what you’re looking for in a home, you’ll be ready to find the right agent to partner with for your search. Identifying your priorities will help you find the perfect property. Happy house hunting!
Source: Zillow