Looking around for a new house can sometimes feel like an overwhelming experience. Maybe you have a ton of homes you absolutely love. Or, maybe you haven’t been able to find any that appeal to you.
Whatever the case, the right house is out there and it’s important to keep the faith. Once you’ve put your own home up for sale and you’ve tried to boost its curb appeal to help it sell quickly, you’ll find that you’re likely more motivated to seek out the perfect house for your future.
So, what can you do to make house hunting easier, or to make sure you’re choosing the right home for yourself and your family?
1. Know Where You Want to Live
Location, location, location. It’s one of the biggest factors when you’re making a move. You might find the house of your dreams, but if it’s in a location that doesn’t appeal to you, it’s just not going to work.
When you’re considering the right location, think about the school district (if you have kids), how far of a commute it will be from your job, and whether you actually like the neighborhood itself. Remember, you’re not going to spend every waking moment inside your house. You’re going to go out into the neighborhood, go to school events, go shopping nearby, etc. Making sure you like the area is a huge factor you’ll need to consider.
2. Create a Check-List of “Must Haves”
It’s okay to be picky when you’re buying a new home. In 2019, there were 673,000 homes sold in the U.S., which is over 12% more than the year before. The trend keeps going upward, so sellers know that buyers are interested and they’re going to want to do whatever it takes to make their home appealing to you.
So, don’t settle for something less than what you really want. Chances are, you’ll start your search online. It’s easy to fall in love with houses when you’re looking at them on a phone or computer screen. But, make a checklist of the things you want your new house to have, and see which places fit those criteria. If they seem to check off the boxes online, you can do a walk-thru in person and continue to compare what the home really has to the list of things you want.
3. Work With a Realtor
Some people hesitate when it comes to working with realtors, but they really are extremely helpful when you’re looking for a new place to live. Not only do realtors know a lot about houses, but they can also take show you some hidden gems and tell you things about the history of a house that may not be posted in its listing or description.
A realtor, like William Pitt of Sotheby’s International Realty, can give you guidance on what to look for in a house. You can show them your checklist, and they should be able to tell you quickly whether or not a certain home is right for you.
This is supposed to be an exciting time, and your dream home could be just around the corner. Don’t let the idea of moving start to overwhelm you. Instead, keep these three tips in mind as you hunt for your future home, and enjoy the journey!
