What to Consider When Looking for a House
Searching for a new home can be a stressful experience. There are numerous factors you need to consider before making your final decision and make sure you don’t exceed your budget while doing it. Sometimes, even the smallest, often unnoticeable factors end up shaping a long and arduous decision and sometimes, it’s love at first sight and there’s literally nothing anyone can say or do to change your mind. However, there are factors that every buyer needs to consider before making such as life-changing decision, so let’s go over some of the most important ones.
Location
The location is a single most important aspect you need to consider when buying a house. Any imperfections in or on the house can be fixed, rooms can be changed from top to bottom and backyards can be completely rearranged. But, you can’t change the location of your house. Consider your neighborhood, proximity to work, school or gym, the amount of traffic noise and public transportation options. Housing in urban locations tends to be significantly more expensive when compared to housing options in the suburbs. Houses near busy streets are noisier, but that’s why they can be thousands of dollars cheaper than a white-picket-fence house in a calm neighborhood.
House type and size
Houses come in many shapes and sizes and choosing the right one often boils down to lifestyle and personal preferences. Single homes are excellent for small families with a couple of kids, as they often come with a backyard and offer a lot of privacy. Duplexes offer a little less privacy but are generally preferred by large families with multiple generations living under the same roof. Single story houses are great for young couples living on their own, while a two-story house is better suited for families and those who don’t want their bedrooms to be on the same level as the rest of the house.
House orientation
This is a factor which is often overlooked both by real-estate agents and people checking out the property. The orientation of the house is a crucial factor that dictates the amount of natural light the house will be getting during the day; how warm it gets during the summer or how cold it will be during winter. Have in mind that south-facing homes are exposed to more natural light throughout the day, while north-facing ones can be as bright only if the living room is located in the back of the house. Facing north, however, means that your house will be significantly cooler during the summer but might require additional heating if it gets really cold.
Floor plan and interior layout
The number of rooms and the way they are constructed can have a significant impact on your everyday life. When buying a new house, make sure you check out each and every room and passage. Imagine how it would look fully set up and will there be any problem areas such as narrow rooms and hallways that are in the way of the natural flow between the rooms. Most houses come bare, which means that you’ll have to fill it with various pieces of furniture. This might result in additional costs regarding the purchase and transport of your furniture, so keep that in mind.
The exterior look and layout
Check out every nook and cranny both on the inside of the house, as well as around the backyard if there is one. Backyards are ideal places to rest after a long day or play games with the kids, but they do require an additional budget for maintenance. Find your inspiration by opting for modern outdoor space at Manna Landscapes where you can find something unique for your backyard. Your dream home needs to have a garage in case you drive a car or simply want to use it as a tool shed. Not to mention that there are families who prefer to live together but still want to have enough room so the elderly aren’t disturbed all the time.
Lastly, you need to have a properly thought-out budget which covers both the actual price of the house, but also any additional costs associated with home-owning. This includes having enough resources to cover the bills for at least a couple of months. Don’t be afraid to close the deal if you think you’ve found just the right house. Also, don’t take too long to decide because another buyer might beat you to it. Alternatively, if you’re not completely sold on the idea, simply walk away. There are numerous choices and it may be better to take your time than to invest your last penny into something you don’t even like that much.