Some of us have had it and some of us haven’t. We’re talking about that moment when you walk into a house and know right away, “This is the one”; “This is the house that will become my home.” For those of you that haven’t located your dream home, we came up six important factors to consider while you are searching.
- Think of your house as an investment
Of course we aren’t saying sell your house as soon as you close, but it’s important to think about the future. Imagine living in your new home for 5 or 10 years. Now imagine all the blood, sweat, and tears you will put into your home during that time. Before purchasing, make sure the house has value, even if it means putting your handy-man hat on and making a few key changes to make it re-sellable. If you feel unsure about the house re-sale value, even with a few modifications, you might want to skip to the next house.
- Determine your NEEDS first, then your WANTSDo you need a house, townhouse or condo? Are you looking for a large yard or no yard? Do you need to be close to work or school? First, make a list of needs and choose one that you are flexible on. Second, write a list of wants such as garage, old or new, established landscaping, style – traditional, craftsman, modern, contemporary, and so on. Then choose two wants that you are flexible on. If you are unsure about what style you prefer, you can check out this gallery for more ideas. It will be easier to find the right place if you have a direct vision of what you’re looking for.
- Don’t Break the BankWe all do it. You browse houses for sale and dream about living in that million dollar home, and then say to yourself, “If only I won the Powerball last week.” You have to be realistic though. Go ahead and get pre-approved, set a true budget, and try to stay within $25K.
- Is Green Important?From energy efficient appliances to local transportation programs, you should think about how important ‘being green’ is for you and your family. If you are a green advocate, then look for these key items: multi-pane windows, plenty of natural light, the EnergyStar logo on water or HVAC systems, solar lights/panels, or non-toxic building materials.
- Location and CommunityLocation does matter, plain and simple. Think about what city you prefer and pick a few nearby cities or set a certain radius that you could live with. Not only does location fill personal needs, but it can help (or hurt) you when it comes time to sell. So opt out of the noisy intersection with high traffic. You are also buying into the community in which you live, so do some digging on which communities have the most appealing features.
- Be Flexible and Have FunThe best way to find your dream home is to have an open mind and be a bit flexible. Choose a place that has an open floor plan so you have an option to remodel if you want, or make sure you have an extra room or two that serve many purposes. You might also want to make sure you have enough room to grow or build on at a later time should your family expand. With time, this house will become your home. It will have your décor and reflect who you are as a person, so take your time searching and enjoy the process.
Following these six tips on how to find your dream home are great ways to narrow the search, but it's just the beginning. For more information on homes in Georgia, contact me today so you can start your journey to locating your dream home!
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