Things to Consider When Choosing a Home
Choosing a new home can practically cause a nervous breakdown. There are so many decisions to make, plans to arrange, and boxes to pack, you may lose sight of what is most important: choosing the home that is right for you.
Instead of letting the homebuying process overwhelm you, create a checklist of things to look for while you tour a home, and bring it to every home (and take notes!). Without a checklist, you are likely to forget to look for something.
Don’t know what to consider when choosing a home? We’ve made a checklist for you!
(Purchasing a home out of state? Try these helpful tips!)
Look at the Ceiling
Many people get so excited when they see a beautiful home, they forget to check for important things like water damage. One of the best indicators that a home has water damage isn’t actually found on the floor, but on the ceiling. If a home’s ceiling is riddled with spots that look like dry puddles, you may need to take caution.
Look Inside Every Door
If storage is a must-have, you are going to want to make sure you look inside each and every cupboard, closet door, and drawer. Many houses have fake drawers that don’t even open. Some doors look like closets, but may be hiding the water heater or washing machine and dryer. Just look inside! You will be glad you did.
Look at the Home at Night
Nighttime lighting and life can reveal a lot about a home and a neighborhood. You may notice foundation issues you didn’t see before, and you may not like the nighttime activities happening around you. It can be a great indicator of the kind of neighbors you may be stuck with.
Stay Realistic
When a home is newly renovated, you may see the new bathroom vanities or the new hardwood floors and think you’ve found your dream home, but it is important to stay realistic. Remember, a lot of people are flipping homes for a profit these days. Sometimes, what looks like an upgrade was a cheap fix. Additionally, just because a bathroom has a shiny new single vanity top doesn’t mean you want it – your household may work better with double vanities. Remember your family’s needs before you get too excited.
Visualize
It’s important to try to visualize your furniture in your potential new space. Will it look nice? Will it even fit? If you are getting really serious about a house, you may be inclined to bring your own furniture measurements over just to make sure everything will work out. This could save you from design devastation further down the line.
Are you feeling a little nervous about choosing a home? Hiring a professional real estate agent can help calm those nerves. Real estate agents know the top things to look for in a home, and understand its local market. With a real estate agent you trust, you will be sure to find the home of your dreams.
