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At any one time, there are thousands of homes on the market for sale. How will you ever find "The One?" For starters, you will need to narrow down your search by deciding where you want to live (location) and what type of house you want (single-family homes vs. Condos and Townhouses). Then you will need to refine your search even further by determining your needs and wants in a home. And, you will need to be prepared to make some compromises.
Where Do You Want to Live? (Location/Neighborhoods)
One of the most important things to consider when finding a home is the location. Here are some considerations:
Traffic
Visit the property at different times. If you visit at 11 o'clock in the morning, the street will probably be quiet. Go back around 5 o'clock in the evening or at other times to see what it is like then. Is the property next to a highway or main thoroughfare? If so, how noisy is it? Is the property next to railroad tracks or in a flight pattern? Be sure that you can handle the noise of these factors.
Commuting
You may discover that the further out of the city you go, the more home you can get for your money. If this is the case, and you work in the city, consider the commute. Is this something you can endure every day? It's a good idea to try out the commute, during your normal commute times to see how long the commute is when there is more traffic. Consider other destinations and how far you will be from the places you frequent most often. Remember, the longer your commute, the more you will be paying for fuel and auto maintenance.
Community
Check out the city's Chamber of Commerce and ask for a Resident's or Visitor's Guide, especially if you are new to the area. This will give you some insight as to area attractions, restaurants, events, and other interests happening in the community. Locate a copy of the city or community's newspaper and read about other community members' concerns. Talk with the city planning department or neighborhood organizations to find out about future developments and other issues (such as flood zones, airport noise zones). Ask the local police departments for crime statistics for your area (often this information can be found on the city's website).
Schools
If you have children, this is probably going to be the biggest deciding factor in choosing a home. Visit the schools; talk with the principal and teachers.
Cultural and Religious Organizations
Again, check the local newspaper for various organizations. Another good resource to utilize is the city phone book or check out the bulletin boards at the local grocery stores and coffee shops for information.
Once you decide on a location, look at similar homes to familiarize yourself with home values and neighborhood characteristics. A fun way to view properties is by attending open houses. If you are working with an agent, be sure to disclose this information to the agent hosting the open house.
Deciding What You Want:
Type of Home
Deciding on the type of home you want to live in will help narrow down your search. Do you like the worry-free benefits of renting, where you don't have to do any yard or exterior maintenance? Then you may want to consider living in a townhouse or condo. Is having a yard and doing some housework something you desire? Then single-family homes are what you should be considering. Here are the most common types:
- Single-family (detached)
- Townhouse (attached or detached)
- Condominium
- Duplex
- Manufactured Housing
Style of Home
Deciding on the style of home you want to live in will also help to narrow down your search. Here are the most common styles:
- Single Family Styles:
- One Story (Rambler)
- One ½ Stories
- Two Stories
- More Than Two Stories
- Split-level (three level split, four or more level split, split entry or bi-level)
- Townhouse Styles:
- Quad/4 Corners
- Side by Side
- Detached
- Condominium Styles:
- High-Rise (4+ Levels)
- Low-Rise (3- Levels)
- Manor/Village
- Two Unit
- Converted Mansion
- Twin Home
- Duplex Styles:
- Side x Side
- Up and Down
Some people are drawn to certain architectural styles. Here are some of the most popular architectural styles in our area:
- Bungalow (can be One-Story or 1.5 Story with wood or stucco exterior)
- Tudor (typically 1.5 Story to 1.75 Story with stucco or brick exterior)
- Victorian (2-Story or 2+ Stories with either original wood exterior or replacement vinyl exterior)
Needs and Wants (Checklist)
You've narrowed your home search by location and type of home. Now focus your lens a little closer and think about what space and amenities you'd like inside the walls. The following "needs and wants" checklist will help you focus on homes that meet your top priorities.
Start by identifying general needs:
- How many bedrooms?
- How many bathrooms?
- How much space or square feet?
Then think about the amenities you want:
- A fenced-in yard for the dog?
- A fireplace that really works?
- A formal dining room or an eat-in kitchen?
- Space for an office?
- A finished or finishable basement?
- An insulated garage?
- A porch or deck?
- A picture window with a pleasant view?
- Wood floors?
- Stall showers, not just bathtubs?
Decide which of the above are "needs" and which are "wants." List the features you must have in a home in your "needs" column. Then list your wants. This is your dream list. Wants are items you can live without or add later. List your "wants" from most to least important.
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Mavrik Realty is not engaged in the practice of law nor gives legal advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek appropriate professional counsel regarding your rights and responsibilities as a homebuyer and homeowner.
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