Choosing the Right House for You AND Your Spouse

A recent Realty Times article discussed the appropriate steps you should take when looking for a new home. The National Association of Realtors (realtor.org) thinks 2005 could be another record year for home buying: there is a strong general demand for housing from the US’s growing population coupled with a recovering economy. With a tight sellers’ market making it even tougher than normal to agree on house, the key for house hunting couples is to keep a level head and to be prepared to compromise.
However, it is also helpful to be as objective as possible when looking at properties. Therefore, by keeping the following things in mind when looking for your dream home, you will be able to avoid falling in love with a totally unsuitable house, simply because the bedroom has a magnificent view.
Create a Budget
The first step is to create a budget. Figure out how much you can and want to spend on a down payment. Then determine how much you can afford in monthly mortgage payments. With these things established, your real estate agent can hone in on the homes within your price range, eliminating those homes you cannot reasonably afford.
Determine the Layout
Another key element your real estate agent needs to know is the desired layout for your home. How many bedrooms do you want? Do you need a study? What about a playroom? Can you simply not live without a view of the mountains or the ocean? Once you have decided on these things, your real estate agent can further narrow down the list of properties for you to consider.
Location
The final factor you need to consider is location. How much of a commute to and from work are you willing to have? Do you have children and want to be close to a park or school? Do you want to be within walking distance from your favorite bar or restaurant? Having a certain radius to look within will also help to narrow down the selection of homes that you and your partner will agree on.
The Neighborhood
Once you start actually looking at properties, you will have to start doing some more research, just to make sure that you’re not buying the a great house in a bad place. Do you like the neighborhood your potential new house is located in? Are the neighboring houses nice? Are the roads maintained? Are the people friendly?
The House
How does your house compare to others in the neighborhood. Does it look out of place? Is it significantly larger or more expensive than others in the area? Despite being tempted to get the large house on the corner, real estate experts agree that it is better to have a smaller or mid-sized house when compared to others in the neighborhood. Also, don’t be put off by cosmetic aspects of the house that can be easily changed once you move in. Always remember to look at the potential of the house, rather than what the current owners have done with the curtains or the paint.
By following these steps, you and your spouse should find it much easier to agree on a home that fits both your needs and lifestyles!