Are you searching for a new home? Finding the perfect family home can be a daunting task. There are many things to take into consideration and there is a mountain of paperwork to wade through. If you're thinking it's time to move but don't know where to start, then here are five strategies to help you and your family to find the perfect new home.
1) Pick the perfect spot
You've probably heard the cliche that when it comes to buying a home it's important to consider location, location location. Well, it's true. Before you place a bid on a house, think about where you want to your home to be. Do you want to be close to work? Near a specific school for the kids? Out in the country?
2) Get your finances in order first
Before you even start looking for a new home, you must first have a budget in place so that you can know what price range to look for. Gather your income information and credit score, and use an online mortgage calculator to see what monthly mortgage payment you can afford. If you're having trouble figuring out the mortgage, fees, and closing costs that will be involved.
3) Check out the neighborhood in advance
Riding through the neighborhood can give you insight into the feeling of the location and help you decide if you want to move there. Do you want a neighborhood with a lot of young families and children? Do you need some space that allows animals? Don't just look at the house, check out the neighborhood too.
4) Consider the home's structural integrity
It is important when looking at a home to check out the home's structural integrity. How old is the house? How is the foundation? Is there any water damage? Overlooking any of these questions can leave you with a new home with a major repair price tag that is out of your budget. If you see a warning sign, or if something shows up on the inspection, ask yourself if it's something you want to fix. Or, you may be able to negotiate the price and ask the seller to repair it before closing.
5) Look for a house that you can grow into
Rather than choosing a nice three-bedroom for you, your spouse, and your family dog, think ahead. Do you want to someday have kids? If so, you might want to consider looking for a house with more rooms. Otherwise, you might find yourself a year or two in the future looking for another house and going through another stressful relocation. Life changes fast. Find a house that can grow with you and your family.
There may be a lot of details as you're out looking for your new family home, but think about these five strategies and remember to have fun. Focus on what your goals are and remember that you are building a new future for your family.