Congratulations on feeling ready to start your home buying journey. You already know you need to have a downpayment ready and get preapproved for a home loan, but that’s not all you need. There are plenty of other decisions that come with buying a home and some you need to decide on before your start your home shopping process.
Here are 7 things you need to have answers for before you start home shopping:
Budget
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s arguably the most important detail you need to know before you start shopping for homes. Why? Well you don’t want to fall in love with a beautiful home outside of your price range. Best practice is to buy a home UNDER your budget, because you don’t know what the future holds.
Here are 7 things you need to have answers for before you start home shopping:
Budget
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s arguably the most important detail you need to know before you start shopping for homes. Why? Well you don’t want to fall in love with a beautiful home outside of your price range. Best practice is to buy a home UNDER your budget, because you don’t know what the future holds.
Home Style
Are you looking for a detached home or an attached condo or townhouse? Do you want a two -story or a ranch? What about a basement? While home style is likely to change as you start shopping for homes, it’s important to have an idea of what you are looking for to filter your initial home shopping.
HOA or No
Are you wanting to live under the restrictions and protections of an HOA with monthly dues or are you looking for the freedom and risk of living in a non-covenant community. This decision can impact your budget so it’s important to have an answer before you start your home search.
Yard Size
Often not a deal breaker, but if you have kids and are hoping for an expansive yard for them to play in then there are plenty of neighborhoods you don’t want to be looking in. Help narrow your search to homes you’re more inclined to love by deciding how much yard you want before you start your search.
School District
You’ve heard before how important it is to buy in the school district you want to be in. This is still true. Find the district lines for your the schools you want and stick to them. This will help narrow your search and ensure your kids are in a good school. This is true even if you don’t have kids yet but hope to have them someday.
Level of Project
You can buy a project home or you can buy a move in ready home and it’s important to make a distinction about what you want before you start searching for homes. Prices vary greatly between these two types of homes. A project home is a big commitment and you need to be committed to it whereas a move in ready home is just that, move in ready.
Move in Date
The move in date is often determined by the seller, but you need to know the earliest possible move in date as well as the latest move in date you are comfortable with. Your agent can help with these negotiations, but having this knowledge in your back pocket means you can make realist home choices.
Now you’re ready to contact your agent and get started on the home shopping adventure!
Are you looking for a detached home or an attached condo or townhouse? Do you want a two -story or a ranch? What about a basement? While home style is likely to change as you start shopping for homes, it’s important to have an idea of what you are looking for to filter your initial home shopping.
HOA or No
Are you wanting to live under the restrictions and protections of an HOA with monthly dues or are you looking for the freedom and risk of living in a non-covenant community. This decision can impact your budget so it’s important to have an answer before you start your home search.
Yard Size
Often not a deal breaker, but if you have kids and are hoping for an expansive yard for them to play in then there are plenty of neighborhoods you don’t want to be looking in. Help narrow your search to homes you’re more inclined to love by deciding how much yard you want before you start your search.
School District
You’ve heard before how important it is to buy in the school district you want to be in. This is still true. Find the district lines for your the schools you want and stick to them. This will help narrow your search and ensure your kids are in a good school. This is true even if you don’t have kids yet but hope to have them someday.
Level of Project
You can buy a project home or you can buy a move in ready home and it’s important to make a distinction about what you want before you start searching for homes. Prices vary greatly between these two types of homes. A project home is a big commitment and you need to be committed to it whereas a move in ready home is just that, move in ready.
Move in Date
The move in date is often determined by the seller, but you need to know the earliest possible move in date as well as the latest move in date you are comfortable with. Your agent can help with these negotiations, but having this knowledge in your back pocket means you can make realist home choices.
Now you’re ready to contact your agent and get started on the home shopping adventure!