The hardest decisions we have to make are those that require our minds alone, no feedback, no one else’s opinions. Purchasing a home for you and your family is included in a difficult decision. Everyone wonders what will happen if you make a wrong decision. How will it impact your future? Your family? All of the home buying decisions are very, very, important, but adding more stress to them only makes the decision making harder. Thought, time, research, and planning are the key. This is one of the reasons why having an Real Estate Agent is so important. They are there as an outside perspective, to oversee, to encourage, to research, to be there if you have questions. Real Estate Agents are your home buying and selling confidant and conscience in this respect.
So just like in Tuesday’s blog about selling the home we are going to answer some of the same questions but in reverse order.
First, take a look back at my post called “Preparing for The Move” on August 24th, 2015. Those questions all need to be considered with great thought.
Second, think about your lifestyle. What stage of life are you in? Are you moving by yourself, with kids, hoping to have roommates, or are you a newlywed, newly retired? The differences in who you will be living with changes so much about the floor plan, the room type needs, the style of the home, the yard, etc.
Let’s start with the simple questions:
How many bedrooms and baths?
How many levels do you want your home to have?
How much closet space do you need?
Are you a cook or chef; professionally or do you just enjoy it?
What size laundry room do you need or want? On what floor would you prefer it?
Do you need office space, a “special room” such as a library, practice space for instruments, exercise room, etc.?
Do you need a shop or work space not attached to the house?
Do you want an enclosed garage or a car port? How many vehicles do you need space for?
How much property do you want? Do kids need room to play? Do you have pets that need room to run?
What is different about you that means you have different needs or wants that other people might not have?
Location is also a very large factor. Take a look at “Location, Location, Location” from September 8th, 2015 to get questions you need to think about in that area of buying a home.
Third, as you consider your wants and needs in a home, realize your Realtor will do their best in making sure you have the most off of your checklist, but sometimes, especially if you are geographically bound, not every need or want cane be met. So make sure you prioritize what is most important and stress those 3-5 things. Talk through all of them with your Realtor, with their research abilities and referrals, they can dig deeper to try and find your dream home.
themovewithsusantillman 