People sometimes begin the homebuying process by looking at aesthetic details. Maybe they want a beautiful home that will be impressive to guests and visitors. Maybe they just have specific tastes, like enjoying brick homes or Tudor-style architecture.
It’s not that you shouldn’t look at these factors, as you do want to find a home that you love. But they are not necessarily the most important ones to begin with. Here are a few things you should start with when trying to find a new home.
An affordable mortgage
First and foremost, determine how much of your budget you can put toward your new home. Everyone’s budget is different, but you simply don’t want to overextend yourself.
The size of the house
It is possible to change a home’s size after the fact, such as adding on a bedroom if a new baby is born, but it is an expensive and complicated process. It’s far better to start your search by considering must-have rooms – the right number of bedrooms for your children, for instance, or an office if you are a work-from-home employee.
Major updates
Next, consider different systems that have been updated recently. For instance, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to put a new roof on a home, to upgrade the HVAC system or to replace outdated plumbing and electrical lines. If you find a home where these jobs have already been done, you know that the immediate maintenance and upkeep won’t be as expensive.
There are many different details to consider when seeking the perfect home. Be sure you are also aware of the legal steps you’ll need to take to help this process go smoothly.