What to look for when buying a house?
While buyers shop based on budget. There are many additional considerations to make when looking for a home. Ultimately your home criteria depend on your lifestyle. Here are a list of general rules you should take into consideration when buying a house.
What are the top features buyers look for in a home?
1- Safety: 82% of buyers say that the safety of neighborhood is extremely important.
2- Walkability: 60% says it is very important.
3- Preferred neighborhood: 56% say it is very important
4- Proximity to shopping and services: 48% says it is extremely important
5- Optimal commute to work or school: 48% say it is very important
6- In preferred school district: 48% it is extremely important
What are the home features buyers want?
Within budget: 83% say its very important to be in the initial budget.
Preferred number of bedrooms: 76% of buyers say it’s very important
Preferred number of bathrooms: 67% say it’s very important
Private garden Area: 67% of buyers say it’s very important
Floor Plan and layout: 67% say its very important
1-Search within your budget:
Propertyuno.com advices you to set your budget and search in accordance with it in order not to waste your time.
2. Prioritize the location
Next to budget, location is one of the most important things to consider when buying a house. The 2019 report uncovered that 24% of buyers found it difficult or extremely difficult to find a home in their desired location. If you can’t find or afford a home in your ideal neighborhood, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions (and enlist the help of your agent) to find a location that fits your lifestyle, needs and budget. Remember — your home’s location can’t be changed, so take the time to really identify a neighborhood where you’ll be happy live.
Community attributes
If you like being able to walk to restaurants and shops, try walking the distance to town to see if it’s doable. Spend some time exploring the area, checking out nearby parks and figuring out what kinds of attractions are nearby.
Alternatively, if you’re someone who likes a more solitary life and doesn’t mind driving, you might prioritize a home that offers more privacy, perhaps in a location that’s off the beaten path.
3-School district quality
If you have kids (or are planning on having kids in the future), you want them to get the best education possible. Checking out the school district ratings is a starting point, but you should visit the local schools to gather your assessment of the education and programs. Even if you don’t have children, the school district that your home is in can impact your future resale value.
4-Bedrooms and bathrooms
If you plan to expand your family in the near future, make sure the new home can accommodate your plans, whether it’s an extra room for a new baby, an in-law suite for parents, or a guest bedroom if you’re moving out of state and anticipate lots of visitors. The same goes if you are planning to downsize or you have grown children who will be moving out soon.
5-Outdoor space
As mentioned above, most buyers rank outdoor space as important. If you have a dog (or plan to get one), have kids who need a safe place to play or are an avid gardener, you’ll want to make sure the home’s outdoor space meets your needs.
Potential to personalize
Many buyers look for a home that’s move-in ready, so they can avoid costly repairs and updates (especially right after moving in). But at the same time, it’s nice to be able to add some personal flair to make a house feel like home. If you’d like to add some of your own style, be sure to steer clear of homes that you won’t be able to change enough to fit your preferences.
6. Assess property condition
TV makes home renovations look easy, but in reality, they’re anything but. If you’re a first-time buyer who has never undergone a renovation, you may want to steer clear of a home in serious disrepair. The costs can add up quickly, and if the home needs structural work, it could delay your move-in, causing unnecessary stress. Here are the three major categories of property condition.
7- Stick with your must-haves
There’s a big difference between wants and needs, so create two different lists when searching for a home. For instance, a shorter commute may be a must-have, but smart home features are a nice-to-have. Practicality and functionality should always take priority over the bells and whistles.
9-Things to consider when buying a house: needs vs. wants
For example, your list of needs might look like this.
• Need: shorter commute
• Need: specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Need: parking
Other items might fall to your list of wants, like these.
• Want: updated kitchen
• Want: upstairs washer and dryer
• Want: smart home features
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