When buying a house, everyone has priorities. The buying process is complex and takes time, and it’s easy to get off track. Having written priorities is a helpful way to guide you through the process without forgetting some of the features that are important to you and your family.
Your realtor will also want to understand your prioritized list. Understanding which features mean the most will help eliminate houses that won’t work for you and compare the homes that will.
And, if you’re buying the home with your special someone, talk it over to make sure you agree on the importance of each feature. Let’s check it out.
1. Location of the house
Buyers want to find a location that allows easy access to the places they frequent the most (work, school, shopping, recreation, place of worship, friends and family). Look for easy access to the main roads and check traffic flow.
Checking this out before a purchase can help save you from hassles getting out of the neighborhood and onto the main thoroughfare or from an unreasonably long commute.
The location of the home within the neighborhood is also important to many people. Some people prefer a lot near the main entry, while others like to be away from traffic and further into the development.
2. The size of the lot
Many people give little thought to the size of the lot the house sits on. Within a neighborhood, the lot sizes might be fairly similar. Once you’re going to showings and looking at what’s available, you’ll soon see if you have a clear preference of large or small, corner or interior.
Some lots are pie-shaped; some are rectangular, and some are irregular in shape. Depending on the level of privacy, how you will use the lawn, and the length of the driveway, this might matter to you.
If there seems to be a question about where one lot ends, and another begins, check the lot description and dimensions with your realtor. If you find a house that includes two lots, think about the possibilities.
3. Number of bedrooms
Each family will have an idea of how many bedrooms they would like. Most people will want at least two, and if there are children, the number increases.
Some families like their kids to share bedrooms, while others like separate bedrooms for each to accommodate different bedtimes and study habits. If you have regular visitors for any length of time, it’s nice to have a bedroom that is designated as a guest room.
4. Number of bathrooms
Decide ahead of time how many bathrooms you prefer. Older homes might have only one bathroom, and buyers will often look for ways to add another.
If there is only one bathroom, be sure you can live with that arrangement if remodeling isn’t feasible. Newer homes generally have two or more bathrooms, although some bathrooms might not have a tub or shower.