Choosing A Home

What Type of Home Do I Want?

Would you like a single-family detached home, townhome, or condominium?  As the owner of a single-family home, you are responsible for all yard work, maintenance costs etc.  As the owner of a townhome or condominium, the homeowners’ association will cover many of the maintenance expenses (such as landscaping, roof, siding, etc.), but you will need to pay a monthly fee. 

Some single-family detached homes also have a homeowners’ association with a monthly fee.  This will usually cover the costs of maintaining all community common areas, sidewalks, lighting, etc.  Sometimes it will also cover membership to a swim and/or tennis club.   Keep all of these monthly fees in mind when you are comparing homes.

You should also think about how long you plan to be in a home.  Will the home still meet your needs in a few years?  If you think you may need a larger home in a few years, decide if you would prefer to buy a smaller home now to save up money for a larger home or if you would rather buy a larger home now and avoid moving again.

FEATURES CHECKLIST

•    Location / Neighborhood / School District?

•    Desired drive time/commute to work, school, shopping, gym, etc.?

•    Style (1-story, split-level, contemporary,bungalow, etc.)?

•    Size (square footage)?

•    Number of Bedrooms / Bathrooms?

•    Formal Living / Dining rooms? 

•    Garage or Carport?

•    Fireplace?

•    Size of yard?

•    Age of home?

•    Other amenities?

**PREVIEWING NEIGHBORHOODS:

            If you have the opportunity, you may want to drive around the neighborhoods that are in your price range to get an idea of the area, distance to work/school, etc.  This is a great way to see things that you just can't get a feel for online.  If you don't live in the area, ask you agent about neighborhoods that fit your needs.  Make sure you mention specifics, like maturity,  parks and green space, presence of wooded buffers of protected areas, or 'walkable to shopping or restaurants'. Narrowing down the type of neighborhoods you'd prefer will automatically eliminate unsuitable homes.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

•    Give me as much information up front as you can on your wants, needs, children, financial picture, likes, dislikes, “must haves” and “don’t wants”.

•    Schedule meeting with me as far in advance as possible.  If you have to sell before you buy, let’s talk! We’d hate for you to come in, find the perfect house, then not be able to buy because you have to sell your current home first. 

•    Meet with a mortgage lender or broker before looking at homes.  You’ll want to know what you can afford before you fall in love with a home that’s over your budget. 

•    Talk as we look around.  Really let me know what works & what doesn’t, what concerns you, what questions you have.  Express your joy and your fears.  Buying is as much emotion as logic.  You may want to take notes about each home so you can remember the details later. 

•    Bring measurements of big furniture items, fabric swatches, etc. to each appointment.

•    Let everyone know (friends, other agents, etc.) that I am your “Buyer’s Agent”.  Give them all my phone number so they can call me if they know of or see something you might like.  The best thing about looking with a Buyer’s Agent (or agents) is that I will help you find the best home for you, rather than try to sell you something before someone else does. 

•    Go ahead and listen to all of the pluses and minuses that everyone you know has expressed about the different areas, schools, nighborhoods… but don’t be over-influenced.  Check out all the facts before you decide.  Your needs are probably different than anyone else’s – together we’ll tailor a search for you and your family!