First off, I’m not talking about the perfect man, that I’ve found and reeled in a year ago. That was easy. Approaching your first home isn’t as simple as throwing on a black dress and laughing at every joke to close the deal, there are several items to consider when looking to purchase your new home.
Location
Consider your desired location, where you’d like to live, If it’s close to work and the proximity to the things you want to do while you’re not at work. This can help shrink down your candidate list to a select few, because we both know you wouldn’t date someone that lived on that side of the city either. My commute time, the length it takes you to get downtown for girls’ night and if it’s on the way home from the gym are all important reasons to me. What are yours?
Resale or NewBuild
Here is the ultimate question for any new home buyer, do you design a house you’ll inevitably leave or live in a house that needs some work to feel like home. Both are great options to consider and will be directly affected by your location. The pros of a new build include customization, floor plan options, energy efficiency, that new car smell and warranty. The cons are smaller lots or yards, you may be living in a construction zone and there are additional unexpected expenses such as landscaping, fencing and appliances to take into consideration. With resale homes the pros are the home arrives turnkey, meaning everything is move in ready, the pricing can be more negotiable in some cases, the areas are developed and your amenities and services are within reach. The cons consist of you judging their unusual finish choices, some maintenance or replacement of equipment or hardware, and the cost of renovating if you want to resell again in a few years.
What Home Works For You
Do your research. Like online dating, try a few builders on, dabble in some MLS listings and see what tickles your fancy. Don’t pick the flashiest and most expensive, that always gets your wallet in trouble, and don’t go for the lowest price because there’s nothing worse than going home to a cheap date every night. Find a square footage that works for your family, whether it’s two or ten of you. Find the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need to sleep comfortably, whether you like second or main floor laundry, consider flex spaces like bonus rooms or dens and don’t forget to scope out the basement for future development. You don’t have to settle but you also probably can’t have it all, so find something that works for your needs and your lifestyle.
Budgeting Your Life After House
The thrill of home ownership is beginning to take over, you think to yourself “Take that Mom! You never thought I’d get here!” but as the real world emerges back to life, the realization that there are more bills associated with home ownership than renting. When you get pre-approved try and be reasonable about the house you want, take into account all the other aspects mentioned before and avoid going overboard because a mortgage isn’t the only thing you will be gaining along with your new digs. Property taxes, utilities, home insurance, maintenance and more fall into this picture and you should anticipate these costs. Throw in some monthly contingency money too, for your worrisome husband’s sake.
One of life’s amazing adventures is buying your first home don’t be afraid to take the plunge, ask questions and do your research. Visit showhomes and budget your monthly costs realistically. So when you’ve found the one, you’ll know and when you’ve reached a better place in life you can upgrade. I’m referring to the house of course. Happy hunting!
