Making the decision to buy a house is not an easy one but finding your dream home is even more difficult. Working with an experienced real estate agent can help to narrow your search based on the unique needs of your lifestyle, budget, location and property type.
Honing in On House Hunting
One of the best tools at a house hunters disposal, is a list. It might be hard to believe but even a basic list of needs can help to get you into an ideal home without wasted time, unexpected costs or the disappointment of falling in love with a property that just won’t work.
Price Range: One of the most important factors when searching for a new home is price. Coming up with a workable budget for your purchase makes finding a home that much easier. There are plenty of online tools and mortgage calculators but a quick visit to a banking institution can help to assess your credit score and get you pre-approved for a mortgage. It is easy to take this pre-approved number and hunt for a house listed at this price – but this is a mistake! Sales come along with closing costs, inspection fees, insurance and many other unforeseen cost. An experienced realtor can help prepare their clients for these services and costs.
Size: A home purchase is a long term investment, so it is important to consider not only your situation now but future scenarios as well. For a single person or couple, a one bedroom home might be perfect for a while but if you are planning to grow your family in the near future more space is a must. Single family homes can mean everything from a one to four bedroom house, so understanding your needs is paramount to finding the right space.
Layout: In the same way that size is important, so is layout. For those with mobility issues, it is ideal to have a bedroom or bathroom on the ground level. Open concepts or bedroom locations can be selling features to those with young children. Not every home will meet your exact specifications and if they do, they may not fit into your budget. Keep in mind that some spaces might require renovation and account for this in your budget.
Type: Property type can be a huge selling feature or a very strong deterrent. Unattached homes offer up the freedom to plant, garden, build and create your perfect space. This sounds great but these types of properties require a lot of maintenance and care. If you are not a fan of maintenance or are not keen on the costs of up-keeping an aging structure, a heritage home is not the right option for you. A newly built home will often mean less maintenance off-the-bat, but a townhouse or condo will take these chores off the table for you.
Location: It is not uncommon to fall in love with the idea of a trendy downtown neighbourhood but these aren’t always the best options. As much as you might love the interior of a space, the outside has to match. If you like to have large gatherings, downtown might not be the location for you. Parking can be problematic and a lack of outdoor space can put an end to backyard barbecues and even storage for larger items like kayaks, snowboards or ATV’s. Whatever are you choose should match your lifestyle and not hinder it.
Choosing The Right Representation
When buying a home, it is always a good idea to choose an agent that you are comfortable with. Home buyers need to feel that their best interests are being considered and nothing is being left out. Choosing South Burnaby realtor Brandon Gee Moore means experience, dedication and care.