You’ve solidified your credit score, saved up a reasonable down payment, and decided to take the plunge into homeownership. Now, you just need a house! Here are five tips that will help you find the home of your dreams.
1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage.
This is the first step you should take, if you’re serious about buying a home in the near future. Understanding your budget will give you the tools necessary to determine if your dream home is within reach or not. This will help you avoid falling in love with a home outside your price range. It will also help you narrow your search.
2. Know your non-negotiables.
Do you really need a wraparound front porch and a two car garage to be happy with your home? Would those things simply be convenient, or are they necessary? Before you start searching for the perfect property, write down the home features you want. Next, qualify them as “must have” or “would be nice to have”. This can help you differentiate between items that are negotiable and items that are non-negotiable. Stay focused on what’s important.
3. Choose your neighborhood.
Before you decide a home is “the one”, take a test-drive of the neighborhood. Make sure the area meets your needs in regards to amenities, commute, and school district. Spend a weekend exploring before you make any final decisions.
4. Stick to a home style.
What kind of home does your family need? Pick a style, and stick with it. If you want a ranch, only look at ranch properties. On the flip side, if you won’t accept anything other than a two-story home with a basement, only look at two story homes with basements. It isn’t necessary to tour every single listing in the area of your choice.
5. Document your home visits.
Once you start attending showings and open houses, home features will blur together and it will be hard to remember specific details. Take plenty of photos and videos so you can document what you love and don’t love about each individual property you tour.