5 Things to Consider Before Buying Your Dream Home

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Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It’s not just about location and square footage, there are so many other factors to consider before making an offer on your dream home. And it doesn’t stop with the purchase contract. There are additional costs that come with ownership like insurance, taxes, maintenance, and repairs—which might be more than you bargained for! So, whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced homeowner looking for some tips to help save money in today’s market, this article will give you everything you need to know when buying your next home from start to finish. 


Location
What constitutes a great location may differ, depending on personal needs and preferences. The best locales do however hold the most value and the objective reasons for this are crucial in your decision making. 

Commuting to and from work is a key factor for ensuring easy access to main transit routes, public transport, and more than one point of entry. Is sufficient care given to the appearance of the public parks, community spaces, and common gardens? If the stats reveal that homes sell quickly in the area, this is a clear sign that others will clamor for homes here too. You will want the convenience of nearby amenities such as grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. Even if you don’t have children of your own, the quality of local schools may well matter to the person who buys your home in the future. What plans for new amenities in the future? Public, commercial, or residential developments and their effect should be known. In addition to busy main roads and shopping centers, proximity to schools, hospitals, fire stations, which tend to be noisy, can lower a property price. If you’re struggling with getting information on the property you’re interested in you can check out Top10RealEstateAgent – they recommend the best real estate agents that can provide invaluable insight and can address all your questions regarding the property you’re interested in. Real estate agents are basically the solution to all of your problems when it comes to buying or selling a house.

Price
A property search and its related negotiation cannot begin without a minimum and maximum budget being determined. This relies on your being very clear on all your monthly expenses and the related total, after which you can allocate the optimal % to the purchase of your home. A deposit, the mortgage repayment, whether the interest rate is fixed or variable, taxes, and insurance, allowing for regular maintenance and future improvements, may form part of this sum. 

Size
The size of the home will depend on the number of people that need to occupy it, what they need from a home and what they can afford. Does each child need a bedroom of their own? A family with small children will likely enjoy a garden to play in. Would you prefer a garage for your vehicle, or is a storage space of great value? Does a bulky piece of furniture that you simply cannot part with, need a specific sized space? Create a wish list and share it with your realtor as a starting point.

Maintenance Costs
Homeownership means home maintenance. If you want to avoid unhappy surprises in the future, simply do the homework now. Understand all the potential costs related to maintaining your property, and allocate a monthly maintenance figure in your budget, so that it is accounted for upfront and can be comfortably dealt with in the moment. 

A garden service, general plumbing, and electrical, painting, roof checkups, replacing household appliances, may all matter, depending on the nature of your home. 

Age of Home
An old home needn’t scare you away and similarly, a new home isn’t necessarily a better choice. An old home will necessitate your thorough investigation, however, including that of a specialist. If the previous owners maintained their property with pride, and you are made aware of all current conditions, your decision on purchasing it will be informed. Be careful to assume that a new build equals long-term quality. Regardless of the age, seek the guidance of an expert to establish what the home you have your eye on may cost you in money and time into the future and weigh up the pros and cons.

Usefully, many have walked this road before you. Select a friend and perhaps an acquaintance who you hold in high regard. Ask them about their experience when buying their dream home. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Now, you’re ready!