If you’re in the market for a new home for your family, there are plenty of things that you might be considering before you’re ready to say yes — or even to get too serious. Whether you are considering buying your very first home or you are simply moving from one to another, there are plenty of things that require a little bit of thought when you are moving from one house to another. From the budget to your priorities within a home, you can take a closer look at all of the serious parts of homeownership in order to get a better sense of what you want. Here are a few things that you should probably consider before you buy a new home.
Buying for the Future
Buying a house is a long-term decision and investment, which means that you should be thinking far into the future when you make your choices. Maybe you won’t be in your first house for the rest of your life, but it could very well be the gateway into the plan for the rest of your future. Whether you want to plan financially or you’re thinking about longevity for the property itself, buying for the future is a worthwhile investment.
Look Beyond Aesthetics
Even though it can be extremely tempting to fall in love with the home at face value, it’s also important to look a little bit further beneath the surface to make sure that whatever place you are looking at has good bones to build on and shape the future of your home. You don’t want to purchase a house only to realize that the structure isn’t what you want or that you have to change a lot of things in order to be satisfied. Make sure that the color on the walls and the countertops in the kitchen aren’t the only things reeling you in.
Location, Location, Location
Again, buying a home is an extremely permanent decision in terms of your living situation. And although you can change pretty much everything else about a home, the one thing that you cannot change is the location. Do you want to be a bit more secluded for your privacy, or would you rather be in a central neighborhood with easy access to everything? These are questions that you need to ask yourself when it comes to committing to a home. I think about the school district, what kinds of amenities and features are nearby and even how that will impact your home’s value. Location is one of the most important things when shopping around, and that fact is pretty much a constant in the industry.
Don’t Top Out Your Budget
The top of your budget is exactly what it sounds like — the top. Even if you have a high limit when it comes to your down payment and the kind of loan that you can take out, it isn’t always smart to go for the highest price point. Make sure that whatever you decide on, you’re still being reasonable with your expectations. This will likely cause a lot less stress down the line.
Consider Your Other Debts
Getting into the financial aspect a little bit more, one of the other important things that you should consider before you even start looking to buy a home is what other debts you have. Think about your student loans, credit card debt or any medical debt that you might have, and think about where a mortgage might fit into that situation.
Getting an Inspection
When it comes to making sure that our house has good bones, there’s no test that compares to the classic home inspection. It’s standard practice to have a home inspected before you commit to buying, so just make sure that if you have a house that you’ve fallen in love with, you pay attention diligently to the details of the home inspection and make an informed choice based on the information you have. Regardless of how much you love a place, you don’t want it falling apart the year after you buy.
Are You Ready to Buy?
One of the primary questions that you should ask yourself when you are thinking about buying a home is whether you are actually ready to buy. Purchasing property of any kind is a big decision, and it’s important to be honest with yourself about exactly what you want. If you aren’t sure about the details, you don’t know exactly what you want or even if you think you might be better off renting for a little while longer, it’s perfectly okay to figure out what you want while you continue renting and saving.
About The Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find herin a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy.