The house search process can be a tedious activity whether you planned well or not. The confusion associated with it stems from the various spaces you get to visit in a day or over a period. Considering that potential homebuyers spend at least 3 months looking for a house, it makes sense why the whole process could be cumbersome. Fortunately, when you land the right house, all your searches will have paid off. The question now is how to know you found the right one. Here are some pointers to lead the way.
It fits your budget
No matter what your dream house is, the most important thing is for that property to fit into your budget. One of the worst things you can do as a potential homeowner is to buy a property that exceeds what you can comfortably pay for. Even if you have the funds to make an outright payment, it is necessary to make this your guiding point. Meanwhile, going overboard automatically impacts your repayment plans for those who rely on a mortgage to own a house. Additionally, the more the value, the higher the interest rate you may have to settle for.
Monthly repayments can be distressing if the amount takes up almost all your monthly income. How do you intend to take care of other expenditures if that happens? Indeed, buying a house is one of the most expensive purchases people make in their lifetimes. However, careful planning and budgeting should save you from the reality others have had to face. If you’re in doubt, you can request a property valuation to help you take that final decision.
It meets all or most of your property checklist
According to a houzz.com survey, 80% of people who go house searching keep a checklist of things they would love to have in an ideal house. Therefore, if you kept a checklist and almost everything on it matched the property you settled for, it might be a good indication. The checklist may include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen size, availability of backyard, curb appeal, etc. Other people might factor in the neighborhood, swimming pool, and other amenities.
A checklist usually becomes a guideline for buyers. In reality, they may not check everything on that list, but the most important thing is for the house in question to meet most of these expectations. As a guiding principle, it helps to focus on the things that can make living in that new property safe and comfortable. According to experts, the most basic expectations need to come first before anything else.
It feels like home
Some houses have a homey feel to them, which you can look out for. You can imagine yourself living in that house and feeling comfortable being there for a long time. According to experienced homeowners, they cannot entirely describe this feeling in words. However, what many say is that being in that right house gives a sense of safety and security.
Last but not least, the house you choose should fit into your future plans. This helps a lot if you are moving in with family or intend to make one in a few years.
Image Credits: Gerd Altmann
Like this article? Share with your friends!