If you’re a new parent building a family, getting your first home as a whole unit can be an exciting prospect that marks the start of the new life you’re building. It can be the place where your children have their formative years, where you can make so many memories to carry into your twilight, and essentially create the history of your family. Whether you want to find a place where you’ll be planted for the long run or starter home to begin your journey, you may be wondering how to pick the right home. Here are a few things you should keep in mind during your house search:
Make sure you have a specific budget that you have allocated well
First, make sure you have your budget mapped out for the mortgage, down payments, appraisal and surveying fees, and repairs and utilities for when you’ve just moved in. Working these into your budget ensures that you won’t be faced with a surprise bill down the road. If you need to shorten the term of your payments or you spot a drop in interest down the line, you can always opt to refinance your home.
Once you’ve determined your budget, allot a max you’re willing to go and then make sure you stick to the numbers you’ve set. That is simply a practical choice that can help narrow down your search and make the process more efficient overall.
Prioritize practical concerns when scoping a place
Although you may feel giddy about certain homes because of neat little features or interior decorations you’ve spotted, make sure you base your final choice on the type of home you are more confident that you can maintain. Consider the layout of the house and even its curbside appeal, and see how it fits into your lifestyle and housekeeping ability.
Take your next ten years into account
Even if you don’t have it all figured out yet, it would be best to know what you plan for the next decade and see if the home is future-proof. Will you have more kids? Will the space work while your young child grows up, and will it still work when they’ve hit the older years? That covers everything from the setup as a whole, the yard, and the way you furnish their room.
Check out the neighborhood
One of the most important things to figure out is how livable the neighborhood is. Before even beginning to see if the neighbors are decent, check the nearby schools, medical facilities, groceries, and even recreational spaces like parks, playgrounds, shopping centers, and the like to get a feel of the community, the vicinity of resources, and to see if it fits your lifestyle.
Pour over the paperwork
Less than one in a thousand people read the fine print in terms and conditions, and while that may be a lighter risk if you’re just downloading a photo editing app for your selfies, there’s a lot more at stake when buying a home. Take the time to sift through your contracts to make sure that you are getting the best deal that works for you, and don’t shy away from asking questions.
Once you get these in order, you’re one step closer to having your family home.
