Choosing a home can be one of the most important, fun, exciting and nerve-wracking steps in the home buying process. Being such a big decision, you'll want to keep certain things in mind when choosing a home.
Consider Your Home Buying Budget
First and foremost, when choosing a home, start searching only after you know your realistic budget. It would be terrible to fall in love with one or more homes that are outside of your economic means.
Often, home buyers who first look at homes outside their budget range are later dissatisfied when they look at home within their price range. Therefore, you should start your home search within your budget range.
Consider Current and Future Needs
When looking for a house you should consider your current needs and your future needs. For example, consider whether or not you are going to start a family, or whether someone from your family will likely be moving out of the home into their own house or apartment. Consider your commute to work or school, and decide whether or not the commute is something you'll be able to handle on a daily basis.
Conduct Neighborhood Reconnaissance
It's always a good idea to visit a potential home at different times of the day and night to get a feel for the neighborhood. You'll want to see if your potential new home serves as the backstop for a daily stickball or baseball game, or whether or not your home is next door to where the local high school band practices each afternoon.
Walk around the neighborhood to get a good feel for it. Home buyers often find they can learn more from walking around the neighborhood than they would by driving around.
Look for notices of construction or variance requests and try to get an understanding of what, if any, future development will be around your potential new home. Are they expanding the highway so the HOV lane is 10 feet from your backyard?
Talk to the Neighbors
If possible, speak with local residents and find out the inside information on schools, shopping, public services and other factors that you consider important. When it comes to buying a home, information is vital.
Some information can be obtained at the local library. However, information from local residents is likely to be more accurate and current. Of course, you'll need to gather several opinions in order to get a balanced "consensus." Never trust the opinion of just one person.
If you have children, you may want to have them assist you in the information gathering. Have them talk to some kids at the local playground or park to find out about the area. Generally speaking, children are less prone to self-censoring or being "politically correct," so they may provide you with important information.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you -- as the home buyer -- have to trust your gut instincts and choose a home that gives you a good feeling the moment you pull up to it. Trust your instinct and emotions during the home buying process, and you'll soon know whether you are viewing "just a house," or viewing your new home.
Learn more!
You can learn more about the home buying process by visiting HomeBuyingInstitute.com, the Internet's largest library of home buying advice. Online at: http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com
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