Kandis Rausch, Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty

Learn what you can afford
Getting your finances in order before searching for your home can make all the difference in a competitive market. Determining your budget and how much financial wiggle room you have can help put your must-haves on your house-hunting checklist more clearly into view. Ask yourself:

o Are you pre-approved for a mortgage? If you’re not there yet, we can show you how and why to get pre-approved.
o What’s your price range? (Try our affordability calculator if you’re not sure.)
o How much do you have saved for a down payment?
o What about hidden costs like future repairs?
o Are you willing to do extra renovations or do you want a turnkey property?

This quiz might help you decide.

Consider your current lifestyle, but don’t forget to plan for the future
Think about whether:

o You need space for a future nursery or a home office
o You need any special features for your pets like a fenced-in yard
o Wheelchair access or limited stairs is important to you
o You need a space for a car or is street parking sufficient
o Walkability is important to you
o You plan on changing jobs in the next 1-2 years

Pick your preferred home style and type
Ask yourself these questions (and make sure your answers match up with what you have noted on your house hunting checklist):

o How many stories do you want?
o Do you want to live in a townhouse, condo, or single-family house?
o Read about the pros and cons of condos vs single-family homes.
o Could you live in a historic home?
o How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
o Want a guest room?
o What type of flooring do you like?
o What architectural styles do you like best?
o What’s your favorite room, and what makes spending time there enjoyable?
o If you have an outdoor space, do you enjoy spending time there?
o Do you enjoy taking care of a yard… or feel burdened by it (be honest!)?

Choose a location
Ask yourself these questions, and then read our guide to choosing a neighborhood for more tips.

o Do you prefer urban, suburban, or rural?
o What city do you want to live in?
o Do you want easy access to highways or public transportation?
o How important is the view?
o Can you sleep easily with traffic noise?
o Do you want to be involved in community activities?
o Are there parks within walking or biking distance?
o Do the property taxes and/or HOA fees fit your budget?

Get to know the neighborhood
Ask yourself the following:

o Are you happy with your neighborhood?
o Are there enough activities going on around you — or too many?
o Do you feel happy with your commute?
o Do you have to travel far for basics such as groceries or a doctor’s appointment?

Document your visit
Get a feel for the home and consider anything you may have left off of your list. Remember, paint can be replaced and staged furniture will change, but there are aspects that can’t change so easily:

o Is there enough space or too much space?
o Where could you use more space?
o How would you describe the layout?
o Do you like the fixtures and finishes?
o Are you happy with the windows (enough natural light, well-placed, too sunny)?
o Does the home have curb appeal?
o Does the home have adequate parking?

Finding the right home can be a daunting task, but being well-prepared ahead of time can make it much easier. One great way to do this is to establish a list of priorities. Once you know what you need and want in a home, prioritize each item by ranking them from most to least important. Make sure this list includes features both practical (square footage, location) and personal (outdoor space, pet-friendly).

Once the needs have been determined, begin the search for homes that meet or exceed your requirements. This will help narrow down your choices and save time when viewing homes in person. Setting priorities ahead of time is also beneficial for negotiating with sellers – as long as you don’t get too attached to any particular home!

With some solid groundwork, you’ll soon find the perfect new home for you!