Finding the home of your dreams is a lot like finding the perfect partner to spend your life with. It is going to take time, patience and effort. All the hard work will be worth it once you have the perfect home to make precious memories in. Below are some tips to consider when looking for the best home for you and your family.
- Consider Your Style – When looking for a home, you may find yourself loving the sleek look of modern kitchens and penthouse apartments, but you need to consider what type of home is going to work best for you and your family. If you have kids or pets, you may enjoy the privacy and freedom that single-family homes will offer more. However, if you don’t like weekends full of lawn care and maintenance, you may want to consider a condo. Condo associations often handle many of the outside maintenance issues for you.
- Do Some Research – Neighborhoods can vary greatly, even when they are in the same area. Do some research online to get an idea of what type of styles are available in the area you are interested in. Check out the walk-ability score for neighborhoods you are considering. If possible, always visit the location and look around first.
- Consider Your Budget – Finding your dream home also means finding a home that fits in your budget. Before you begin your search, try to get a pre-approved mortgage loan. Many home buyers think this is a tedious process and want to put it off until the last minute. However, ensuring your finances are in order beforehand can make finding your dream home much easier. Check on your credit score and gather all proof of income including pay stubs and W-2s. Create a budget to find out how much you can afford on a monthly mortgage payment.
- Plan for the Future – Finding your dream home means more than finding what will work for you presently. When considering a home, think about what would work best for you and your family in the future. Experts suggest purchasing a home you can see yourself living in for at least seven years or longer. This can help you pay down your mortgage and begin building equity. For a home to be your dream home, it needs to be able to grow with you. An extra room could be perfect for guests if you plan to have a kid down the road.
These are just some of the tips for finding your dream home. It is important to see past flaws when searching for different real estate listings and to keep an open mind. In time, you may find that your perfect home was not what you expected it would be. As your top realtor in Bucks County and in Montgomery County, PA, I want to help you find your next dream home.