Choosing the Right House for You AND Your Spouse
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!