What is important to you?

The first step in choosing a home is deciding where you want to live and what kind of property you prefer.  If you find this step overwhelming, below are some aspects broken down to help you refine what you want.  Make a list of your preferences and prioritize the absolutely necessary from the preferences.  This will help you organize your thoughts for when it is time to make the big decision.
 

• Neighborhood / Location
• The saying “location, location, location” has lasted because it truly is the first thing to look at when choosing a property.  Many other aspects of a property can be changed, however the location is a constant.  The location of your new home should be the foundation of your decision.  Before you start looking, drive around and choose areas that you like that fit your needs in relation to the distance they are from your work or your children’s school (keep in mind that school boundaries change), talk with your significant other or your family or friends about what’s important to you in an area and then find areas that fit your needs.  This will really help you to lay a foundation before searching for your new home.  Here are some questions to help guide your thoughts.
• How do you commute to work: Walk, Drive, Car pool, Taxi, Bus, Train or Public Transportation?
• How far must you travel to work and how long does it take in the morning and evening?
• Are there any natural features you prefer to be near:  Flat Land, Woods, Hills, Rivers, Ocean shores, Lakes, Canals, Streams or Ponds?
• Where do you normally shop and where are these places in relation to the area: Malls, Grocery Stores, Community Shops?
• What types of schools does your family attend now or will they require in the next few years: Elementary? Middle? High? College? Graduate? Day Cares? Vocational Training? Follow this link to find out about the local schools in the areas you’re considering.
• What does the area offer for recreation and entertainment:  Music, Movies, Sports – arenas, indoor/outdoor sports facilities, Parks, Clubs – country clubs, athletic clubs, Nightlife?
• Are there any other special facilities near: Hospitals, Libraries, Museums?

Additionally, once you find a few suitable areas, you should drive through the areas a couple times, maybe once during the day and once at night.  If you’re purchasing your primary residence, can you picture yourself living here?

• Square Footage / Layout
• Square Footage:  To determine how much room you need, you can ask yourself questions about the place you’re currently in to help you decide.
• What is the square footage where you currently reside?
• Is it enough, do you need more or less space?
• Is there a certain size you need a particular room?
• Layout: Different homes have different layouts, you may find that you already have a preference of where you like the rooms positioned as to the other rooms.
• Do you prefer an open kitchen?   This is a kitchen that has an open view to other rooms in the home. Or do you prefer a closed kitchen?
• Do you prefer a split bedroom plan?  This is where the master bedroom is separated on one side of the home and the guest bedrooms would be on the other.
• Do you want separate formal living and family rooms or a combined great room?
• Do you want a formal dining room or eating area in the kitchen?

• Rooms
• There are many different rooms in a house, you’ll want to get an idea of the basic rooms you want and more importantly, why you want those rooms.  For instance, if you want 4 bedrooms because you need one for an office, you may be able to look at 3 bedroom homes if they have a den, study, or game room.  To be classified as a bedroom, the room must have a window and closet, so sometimes a room classified as something else may serve the purpose you desire.  Just as if you want a large garage because you do not know where you will put all your extra stuff, you may be able to look at places with a workshop, large attic, or basement.
• Are there particular rooms that you need in a house? 
• Do the kids need their own bedrooms, how many bathrooms?
•  Do you need to keep the vehicles in a garage or just need it for extra storage?
•  Do you need a special room for home office work or hobby room?
• Do you want a porch?  Will you use it for BBQs or for a pet shelter from the cold?

• Yard – Lot size, View, Pool
• Lot Size:  Determine your feelings about a yard.  Oftentimes the closer in the city you are, the harder it is to find larger yards.  But if you want a larger yard, make sure you add it to your list.  Perhaps you have a pet that needs some space to run, children who play in the back yard, you want room to plant fruit trees, or put a gazebo or pool?   Some people prefer specifically not to have a large yard so that they don’t have to maintain a yard in Florida or pay a lawn care company to take care of it especially during the summer.  You may not care either way, but if you do, make sure to write it down.
• View:  Is a view important to you?  If so, a view of anything particular, lake, pond, canal, conservation or simply no rear neighbors?
• Pool: In general, if you want a home with a pool, it is better to purchase it with the pool then putting the pool in yourself.  Also, if you’re choosing a home with a pool, you should do so for your own personal enjoyment, not as an investment.  Pools do not always provide as much added value as before.  Families with small children may avoid homes with pools because of the negative publicity.  Other buyers may consider the maintenance of the pool more than they want. Installing an in-ground pool can average from fifteen to forty thousand dollars depending on different factors including the size, patio, type of pool, areas of the country etc.  Pools have not been shown to provide a great return on investment; they may make a property more desirable, but probably not to the extent that you paid.

• Structure / Repairs / Warranties
  • Structure:  You will want to make sure the structure of a home is sound and hiring a home inspector before purchasing any property is highly recommended.  Here are some features you will want to consider.
    • Exterior Construction – Block, stucco, frame, wood, brick?
    • Roof – shingle, tile, metal?
    • Age of house?
    • Plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems?
  • Repairs:  Many people think they want a fixer-upper, however you will want to determine just what and how much you actually can fix up.  Are you planning on fixing it yourself or do you have contractors to do it?  Do you have enough capital to fix it up or are you okay living in it while working on it?  Do you truly want a “fixer-upper” or just a place with cosmetic fixes such as paint and carpet?  If you are obtaining financing on a property, such as FHA, the property will have to meet certain criteria before you can even purchase it, so true fixer-uppers may not be feasible options.  If you do not want to make repairs you should note that as well.  Depending on how you write your offer, the seller may pay for some repairs.
  • Warranties: A home warranty plan can help put your mind at ease especially if you are purchasing a home with older appliances.  Home warranties cover larger items in the home that may be difficult to pay for if they break.  It is like insurance for appliances such as: Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Stove, Heating & Cooling System, etc.  To look into having a home warranty on your home and what it will cover, visit Old Home Republic or American Home Shield.