How To Find Your Perfect Home

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of deciding to buy a property, and then getting out there and seeing what’s available. But equally, there’s nothing like buying a new property, living in it for a year or so, and then realizing that you’ve made a mistake. While we can’t get it every time, there are steps we can take to ensure that we limit the chances of things going wrong. Here’s our guide to finding the perfect home for you.

Think Long Term

You’ll be buying now, but you’re also buying for the next 7 – 10 years. As such, you need to be buying a property that will still be perfect when your circumstances have changed. A lot can happen in a decade. By then, your family might have doubled, or it might have halved if your children will then be the age when they are moving out. You can let what you’re looking for now be the starting for your search, but always have one eye on the future when it comes to getting serious. It’s a big effort to move, and you don’t want to have to do it just because you overlooked a detail!

Get Creative

We tend to play it pretty safe when it comes to looking for property. While no one’s suggested that you buy an outlandish home just for the sake, since we’re talking about your perfect property, it’s worth thinking about what you would actually include in that description. Think outside of the box and you might stumble upon a feature that you would like to have, which will then allow you to hone in the property on the market that’s right for you.

Knowing the Neighborhood

Remember, when you buy real estate it’s not just about the property. In fact, that’s only the half of it. The other half is where the property is located. If you found a home that had absolutely everything you wanted but was stuck in a far flung part of the country, without hook up to water or electricity, then it would not be a good home. Similarly, a home that’s perfect for your family but is located far away from schools would also involve a heavy compromise if you were to buy it. When it comes to property, know the neighborhood as well as the home.

Dangers

There are many places in the United States that might, in thirty of forty years, be completely submerged in water due to the effects of climate change. No one knows for sure, of course, but that it’s even a possibility means it’s worth investigating how a shift in climate would affect the property you’re interested in buying. The climate is indiscriminate with who is attacks; having a well-maintained home in a nice part of town does not mean it would be spared from weather danger should in a lie in a danger zone.

Have a Budget

There are companies out there who would happily build you your perfect home. Every whim that enters your head would be included; every new feature would be included as standard. They would take care of it all; they would also charge you big, big money. Unless you’re a movie star, you need a budget – and you need to stick to it. Stretching your budget beyond what you settled on just because you found a home that was a little bit more expensive is not wise; once the novelty of your home wears off, you’ll be stuck with bigger payments that feel comfortable with.

Make the Most of Estate Agents

When it comes to finding your property, estate agents will be your best friend. They know the market and neighborhood better than you do. They also have access to the data and tools you need to make an informed decision. For example, the Gregory Real Estate Group lists popular communities and offers an app that allows you to browse home listings while on the move. In a busy, crowded housing market, you’ll need a real estate agent to help you narrow your options. Finding the right home all on your own will be next to impossible, so bring in the experts, and you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re not making any big mistakes!

Be Adaptable

It’s all good and well to start with an image of your perfect home or a list of features that it may have, but you’ll slowly realize that you could scour the whole earth and still not find a property that perfectly matches your description. As such, you need to be adaptable in your search. Make a list of essential details and desirable details; the first list will be your bread and butter, the second will be a cherry on top of the desert. The search will be much more fun if you’re not too rigid with what you’re looking for and are receptive to new ideas.

Playing the Long Game

You might have to become a master of patience if you’re going to find your perfect home. The most popular neighborhoods will be competitive, and houses might not come on the market all too often. If you’re not in any great rush to move, just be patient and wait for the home that feels right to reveal itself. You’ll be in a stronger position that someone who needs to move as soon as possible. Patience is nearly always rewarded!

Remember: There is no Perfect Home!

And finally, we’ll tell you something that you might already know: there is no such as a perfect home. If you think you’ve found it, you haven’t searched for its flaws hard enough. More than how many bedrooms or how big the garden is, what matters most is that you feel comfortable in the house and can grow together and individually. In the end, a house is four walls and a few doors: a home is created by the love that’s inside it! Build a loving home, and it’ll be perfect in your own way.