5 Ways to Know That a House Is Right For You

The inside of a home with a beautiful dining room and living room

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone because it allows you to explore your tastes and stoke your imagination. The rush of emotions is real. However, if you stick to your priorities, finding “the one” doesn’t have to be difficult—it can even be an adventure.

You might know that a house is a perfect fit as soon as you step inside, and even feel the pressure to make an offer. Before you proceed, take some time to think about the home’s features first.

While every home has its pros and cons, the one you purchase should bring you happiness. Your first impressions are usually right. Here are the five ways to discover how to balance practicality with your excitement using the five tell-tale signs that you’ve found the right house for you.

The Location Is Right for Your Needs 

First and foremost, consider the home’s location. If your current commute is unsustainable, choose a home with a faster route to your most important activities. Write down a list of needs, such as local amenities, that you can’t live without. The location of the home is permanent, so keep in mind that it might be beneficial to scope out different neighborhoods in the city and see which one supports your goals. To help you narrow down your search, determine whether you want to live in a secluded area outside of the city, or in a family-friendly neighborhood with opportunities for your kids to socialize.

The Home Meets Your Most Important Wants

While you should address the essentials, don’t forget to write down a wish list! 

First, brainstorm which features would be difficult to live without, such as a spacious kitchen or the minimum number of bedrooms. Keep in mind that being too rigid or specific about your “Must Have” list means that you probably won’t find a house that meets all of your wants. 

Second, narrow down your top desires and share them with your agent so you can research relevant listings.

The Home Is Within Your Budget

No one wants to regret making a large purchase. If you’ve been pre-approved, then you already know how much house you can afford. You may want to look at homes that are under your full pre-approval amount to keep your current credit mix manageable.

When you make cross-comparisons of your top home choices, you’ll want to find out the true cost behind every home. Your budget needs to include the following:

  • Mortgage Loans
  • Closing Costs
  • Approximate Monthly Maintenance Fees
  • Property Taxes
  • HOA Fees
  • Other Expenses

Your agent should be able to give you an accurate estimate of the total cost.

If you know you’ll need to make extensive repairs right away, have a realistic idea of how much money it will take to hire contractors or do it yourself. Don’t underestimate the hidden cost of reconstruction or waiting on repairs. You may find unpleasant surprises.

The Home Fits Your Lifestyle

Consider the activities you enjoy and match them up with the homes that you’re looking at. For example, if you have pets or like to garden, you might want a large backyard with room to play or cultivate the land. Or if you enjoy spectacular scenery, choose between houses that have enviable views. Think of convenience, hobbies, and recreation.

Another consideration to make is if the home will fit your furniture and personal belongings. Will you struggle to fit the couch into the living room? Are the cabinets going to hold your extensive cookware collection? Does the space feel relaxed and roomy, or is it too large?

Having too large or small of a home is an issue because it means you won’t be able to utilize space properly, and you’ll face additional costs.

You Plan to Return After the First Showing 

It’s hard to leave after your first showing. The home is attractive and you can’t wait to see it up close again. You stay up thinking and talking about the home, and chat excitedly with your agent about everything you love about it. You’ve already imagined your possessions there. In fact, you’ve driven by the house at different times of the day already, to get a feel for what an average day is like in the neighborhood. If you notice an irresistible tug to the home, the house might be right for you!

The Bottom Line

While you shop for a new home, trust your instincts, and put in an offer if the home meets most of your requirements. You will want to move quickly so that the seller can consider your offer. If you’re frustrated in the home buying process because you didn’t snag your first choice, you may want to set revised expectations that don’t allow you to get too emotionally attached to any single home. The chances are good that if you love the home already and can be flexible about some of your wants, you’ll be on your way to making a competitive offer.

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