What to Look For In Your Next Home

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       Home buying, especially for first-time buyers, can be an overwhelming process. You have earned, saved and sacrificed for the day in which you can own your own home. Every penny that you put into that new home will be equity toward your family's future. So we can safely say that determining what house will be best for you and your family will be one of the most important decisions you will make. Consider the long term investment that you will be making in that home, as opposed to your present lifestyle. For instance, a young couple who is buying their first home may be more apt to choosing something that they can entertain their family and friends in. But chances are in a few years that may give way to the needs of small children and may cause them to start rethinking their need to entertain and more about their needs of raising a family, which also may include what kind of schools their children will be attending. If you don't want to have to make another move in a few years, it's important to look at a wider range of qualities that will help you get the most quality of living, longevity out of your home and financial future. There are several things that you may want to consider when searching for your dream home, and they don't have anything to do with whether the flooring is carpet or wood. 

Structural Issues

 Although it is true that you will get an inspection done after your offer has been accepted by the seller, you may want to avoid the heartache of getting emotionally attached to a property only to find out that there are issues that should be "deal breakers". By touring these homes with a keen eye, it may help you to avoid making a costly mistake. It's a good idea to educate yourself on the warning signs of any significant issues and even bring someone along who can also recognize these issues. Chances are, they will be more objective because of their lack of emotion when it comes to pointing out potential costly fixes. In touring these homes, along with getting excited about where your couch will look best, you also want to keep your eyes out for things such as water stains on the walls and ceilings and cracks in the foundation. Although it is not always the case, there may be significant problems that can be expensive to fix. Another thing you may want to look for is deferred maintenance, such as; full rain gutters, caulking in the bathroom which has become detached or a deck in need of re-staining and also, duct tape holding things together. Again, these may not seem like large issues on the surface, but it may indicate a certain poor upkeep by the owners, which ultimately may point to larger issues. 

Neighborhood Issues

 Even if you've found the world's perfect home, if it's next to a superhighway, you won't be happy there, not to mention the lack of return on your investment, should you decide to sell. Although it is important to keep in mind the quality of school district that that home is in, there are other possible indicators of a good neighborhood. So before you put an offer in on a house, you should first take a walk through he neighborhood and ask yourself these questions; are there children playing outside? Are people gardening in their yard? How are the homes decorated/maintained? Are there people out walking their dogs? Are there cracks in the sidewalks? Is there a sense of neighborliness? If you are satisfied with the condition and surroundings, that will affirm your next step in making an offer on the home.

Livability Issues

This idea is much more subjective and individualized. Think about how this home will fit into your daily routine. It's a good idea to consider how difficult or easy it will be to maintain the home. For example, that large entry way with the chandelier may seem attractive now but do you cringe thinking about cleaning it? Also, you've wanted a house with a second story, but how long will it be before going up and down those stairs becomes an issue for you? And keep in mind, the larger the home is, the more expensive it will be to run heating and air conditioning. Again, you want to consider situations beyond the "now" and look at the house for what it is, a long term investment as well as the best place for your quality of living. 

Remember, the right time to buy or sell a home has to do with YOUR timing. If your family's needs dictate the sale or purchase of a home, that is always the best indicator of when to make your move!