Must-Haves For Your New Home

When it comes to choosing a new home, it’s important to define your must-haves. These are items on your wishlist that are non-negotiable. It’s important to separate your list of must-haves from the things that you want, but which may be negotiable. There are a number of different aspects of a home to consider when coming up with your list of must-haves. Here are the most important.

Price

First you need to determine what price range you can afford. Then you will be able to be realistic when looking at potential homes. The size of your down payment, your monthly payment, and your annual income will all affect how affordable your mortgage is.

Type of Homes

Homes come in a variety of types and it’s important to consider what type is right for you. Detached, single-family homes generally offer the most privacy and freedom. However, you will be solely responsible for all repairs and up-keep. Townhomes, and condominiums are other options in housing. They offer less privacy but can be more affordable. In a townhome, you will be sharing walls with other people. In the case of a condominium, you will own the unit you live in and have a stake in the whole building as well. There are pros and cons with each option.  

Sometimes, your first house is a great stepping stone to build equity or to build your investment portfolio.  If you have questions about what type of home you can afford in today's market, contact me here.

Neighborhood

The neighborhood that surrounds your home is just as important as the home itself. It will become your community. Getting to know the neighborhood that a potential home is located in is an important step. The state of the neighborhood and how it may change in the future will affect the future value of your home. Spend some time hanging out in the neighborhood and consider how important the following aspects of a neighborhood are:

• Proximity to public transportation
• Walking distance to shops and restaurants
• Safety of the neighborhood
• Number of houses being remodeled in the neighborhood 

Schools

For those who have or are planning to have children, the local schools are an important part of the equation. Even if you do not have or plan to have children, good schools can be a sign of a thriving neighborhood and can make it easier to sell your house in the future.
Some aspects of a school to research and consider are:

• Test scores
• Extracurricular activities
• Statistics on the student population
• Reviews by community members

Other aspects of the home

Some other aspects of a home to consider in determining what you really want are:

• Size of the house
• Size of the rooms
• Number of rooms
• Size of the yard or lot
• View from the home
• Configuration of rooms
• Parking situation
• New construction or fixer upper

Determining your must-haves for a home in the following areas will help you narrow down your search and ensure that your dream home is also a practical home that meets your needs.

Source:https://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/what-you-want-and-need/
https://www.moneyunder30.com/home-buying-checklist-wants-vs-needs