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Have a List Before You Buy
Most of us have our dream home in our mind. It is important to have a list of your needs and wants; it will help keep you focused when buying a home.
If you have a family or are planning to start one, this will affect the number of bedrooms you need. You might need a back yard for dogs and kids to play or maybe you need a basement or rec room. If you have more than 1 car, then you need ample parking and or a garage.
If you need to be close to schools, then location will be important to you. If you're single, then a loft downtown near your job might be the right choice for you. Be sure to check the area for security.
If you work from home, then you might need an extra bedroom for a home office. If you have hobbies then you might require a utility room or work area in the basement.
Most people stay in a starter home for about 5 years. Where will you be in that time frame? Be sure to take those plans into consideration.
Think about ease of maintenance. A big lot will be beautiful, but the up keep of the grass and weeds might be a bit more than you can handle. A older home may require substantial upgrades and more costly repairs than a newly built home.
Think about your budget and be realistic when you make your list. Having a fireplace, wood floors, bay windows, master suite with large bath and open floor plan, and renovated kitchens are popular. If you can get a house with all your needs and wants, that's a good thing; if not, then you will have to compromise.
Look for the important things such as solid window frames or that the roof and masonry are in good repair; these things are expensive to replace. Nice brace lighting fixtures are good, but new wiring and a breaker box will be less worry.
Some examples of needs would be: enough square footage to be comfortable, enough bedrooms to accommodate all family members, an eat in kitchen, storage space, proximity to schools, close to transportation, adequate plumbing, wiring, insulation and good windows.
Examples of wants are having a big master bedroom, open floor plan, fireplace, newly renovated kitchen, attractive view, wood floors, pool or hot tub, bay windows, built in entertainment center, and personalizing the colors of carpeting and paint.
It's easy to fall under the spell of a charming house. Remember to go over your list of needs; after all, you are looking for more than just a pretty face.
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