Did you know that research shows that the average homeowner will stay in their home for around 14 years before selling?
That’s more than a decade. Needless to say, when you’re shopping for houses, you’ll need to put in some effort and take your time in ensuring that this is what you want, both in the short term and long term.
If you’re just starting to look into options for houses and comparing house prices, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the main seven factors to keep you company on your home buying journey.
1. Shopping For Houses 101: Keep Your Future in Mind
Before we start delving into the intricacies and strategies of buying your perfect home, you’ll want to spend some time getting a clear picture of what your future looks like.
Admittedly, it’s rather hard for most of us to put a 10-year plan and actually follow it to the letter. yet, it’ll be very helpful to have a good idea about the coming decade of your life.
Start with asking yourself why you’re thinking about buying a house? Is it for investment purposes? Or is it your forever home, where you want to lay down roots and start a family?
Those questions will tremendously help you when you’re writing down the home of your dreams. Basically, you’re looking for a property that will best fit your lifestyle and needs both now and a few years later down the line.
2. Consider Your Aesthetics
Yes, the love for aesthetics doesn’t just belong to Gen Z on TikTok.
After all, if you’re spending a big chunk of money and investing a huge part of your finances in buying a house, you better be in love with the way it feels and looks.
You can be a fan of the modern and minimalist haven, or you’d rather go full-blown English manor vibe with all sorts of knickknacks. Whatever your preferred design is, you’ll want to be clear about it, and look for the right property.
3. Children? Check the School System
Whether you currently have kids or you’re thinking about having them in the future, you’ll want to keep the district’s school system in mind.
Start by conducting some online research, then you’ll want to ask people who are already living in the neighborhood about their opinions. This will save you a lot of heartache and effort when it’s time to figure out your kid’s education plans.
4. Measure the Commute
If you’re considering the housing market in a busy city or metropolitan area, you’ll want to keep an eye on the traffic and whether the commute is something you can deal with or not.
The best way to figure out your actual commute is to take a trail run from your potential home to your office. Don’t depend on the GPS estimates, as those can be inaccurate at times.
5. Picking the Right Neighborhood
Some people flourish in the downtown areas, while others prefer living somewhere quiet and surrounded by nature.
Now is the time to figure out where on that spectrum you lie. Your neighborhood vibes are things that you can’t really change once you’ve signed on the dotted line.
If you’re unfamiliar with a specific area and whether that neighborhood could be the perfect fit for you, then you can always reach out to property market experts.
Those are people who’ve been working in the real estate field for many years, so they’ll be able to give you some solid advice.
6. Figuring Out Amenities and Lifestyle Elements
When people plan for single-family homes, they tend to forget that they might have children in the future with nowhere to put them.
For instance, if you’re planning on buying a new home, as well as having children, then you’ll want to get a place with an extra room, or even an in-law suite for your parents whenever they want to come and visit.
Moreover, if you’re considering making the shift to working remotely full-time, then you’ll want to create a space for your home office.
The same rule applies to the outdoor space, and whether you want one to begin with. Do you want a garden or a space for parties? Or would you be more than alright with a home that has a park nearby?
You’ll want to assess the parameters of your outdoor space and what you want to have. In addition to the outdoor space, you might be an athlete in need of personal gym space, or maybe you’ve been delving into fashion, and need a studio for your creations. Whatever your lifestyle needs, you’ll want to add them to your must-haves list.
7. Check the Condition of the Property
If you’ve been binging HGTV, we’re here to tell you that home renovations are much trickier in reality than what you see on TV. It’ll cost you a pretty penny, and it’ll be rather time-consuming.
For first-time home buyers, you’ll want to pick a home that’s in a stable condition. Our advice would be to steer away from homes that are in serious disrepair. The costs will add up, and if there’s an issue with the home’s structural work, that means more time before you can move in.
Pick a move-in ready home, or you can pick one with minor cosmetic issues or some outdated mechanical systems. If you’re not sure, it’s best to consult with an expert for a cost assessment before buying the place.
Moving to New Neighborhoods: The Homebuying Edition
When it comes to huge money-eaters like buying a new house, things can get rather stressful, and first-time homebuyers can easily get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of tasks they need to finish.
Hopefully, our explainer with the top seven tips on having a good time while shopping for houses has shed some light on the entire process.
And, if you happened to like our article, make sure to check out our additional tips and advice, all available to you in our real estate section.
