How to Know if a House is Right For You And Your Family

by Richard Morrison
January 28, 2020
Buying
0

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life. Finding the perfect house that checks all your boxes can feel overwhelming. With so many factors to weigh, how do you truly know when you’ve found “the one”?

Table of Contents show

Key Takeaways

Make a prioritized list of must-haves and nice-to-haves
Focus on homes that meet all your needs and many wants
Imagine your daily life and visualize layouts
Pay attention to your gut instinct and emotional response
Don’t compromise your priorities or finances

As a realtor who has helped many clients find their dream homes over the years, I’ve seen the full spectrum of emotions come up during the homebuying process. From the initial excitement when starting the search to frustration after seeing house after house, and finally the thrilling “aha!” moment when you realize you’ve found the one.

I’ll never forget helping a young couple, James and Sarah, find their first home last year. After months of searching, they were growing anxious and disheartened. One Saturday, we walked into a charming Craftsman bungalow with an open floor plan, large yard, and beautiful finishes. As soon as we stepped inside, I could see the change in their demeanor. James immediately started mapping out where to put the sectional couch while Sarah gushed over the spacious kitchen. They were home. We wrote up an offer that day, and the rest is history. When you find the right one, you just know.

Follow these tell-tale signs during your home search, and you can feel confident when it comes time to make an offer.

Create a Prioritized List of What You Need In A Home

Before you start touring homes, make a list of everything you’re looking for in priority order. Be specific. Include must-haves like location, size, layout, and features. Then list nice-to-haves like upgrades, outdoor space, and other amenities. Rank these in order from highest to lowest priority. Architectural style can also be important to consider. Do you prefer modern, Craftsman, farmhouse?

When a House Meets Most Needs and Wants

As you start seeing homes in person, pay special attention to the ones that align with the top section of your priority list. If a house checks off all of your must-haves, it’s definitely one to take seriously. Even better if it also includes many of your nice-to-have features.

Visualize Yourself Living There And See If The Home Fits Your Needs

A key indicator that you’ve found a great fit is when you can easily envision your daily life in the home. As you tour each room, picture where your furniture would go and how you would arrange your belongings.

Imagine making your morning coffee in the kitchen, getting ready in the master bathroom, relaxing in the living room after work.

Pay Attention to Your Emotional Response When Home Buying

Logic and numbers will only take you so far when house hunting. Don’t underestimate the power of your emotional instincts when evaluating potential homes. Take note of how you feel when you first drive up and enter each house. Does it give you a sense of calm, excitement, joy? Or does it leave you feeling cold and uninspired?

Similarly, notice your reaction when you discover flaws or needed updates. If your agent points out an outdated fixture, but you brush it off since you adore the home’s cozy charm, then you’re already emotionally attached.

When It Feels Like You Found The Right House

At the end of the day, choosing a home is a highly personal decision that combines logical factors and emotional intuition. The perfect home for one buyer may be the complete wrong choice for another. When you find a house that checks all of your boxes, pay attention to that inner voice telling you, “This is it!”

You can analyze spreadsheets and make pros and cons lists for days. But often your heart and gut instinct just know, even if you can’t explain why in tangible terms. If every bone in your body is screaming “This is the one!”, don’t second guess it.

Don’t Compromise Your Must-Haves or Finances

During an exhausting home search, it can be tempting to expand your criteria or exceed your budget. While flexibility is key, don’t compromise your priorities or finances in desperation. If you overspend or settle for a home lacking features you need, you may end up with buyer’s remorse down the road.

Be patient and stick to your guns until you find a home that genuinely fulfills your most important wishes. I always advise my clients not to settle. Take time to weigh the pros and cons carefully before purchasing. Never make a huge financial decision based on emotions alone.

Location, Location, Location

They say the three most important considerations when buying real estate are location, location, location. Where a home is situated can impact your happiness far more than any individual feature or architectural style.

When evaluating potential neighborhoods and homes, take time to explore the surrounding area. How convenient is it to access restaurants, shopping, parks? What is the typical commute time to your workplace? Are the schools highly rated? How safe does it feel walking around? Observe traffic patterns at different times of day. Thoroughly research online reviews and local info.

Curb Appeal Matters

While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, a home’s curb appeal still matters. When you first drive up to a potential new house, take note of your initial impression. Does it draw you in and get you excited to see more? Or are you already turned off before even going inside?

Landscaping, exterior paint colors, architectural details – these elements influence that pivotal first impression. A house with stellar curb appeal tends to indicate that the owners also took good care of the inside. And even if the interior needs some renovations, you can always upgrade the exterior aesthetics down the road. But you want that immediate “wow” when arriving to your future home.

Size Matters

Evaluate how well a home’s layout and square footage aligns with your household needs. A bachelor pad condo that seemed spacious during your single years will likely start feeling cramped once you get married and have a kid. Paradigm shifts like marriage, separation, babies, or aging parents moving in often fundamentally transform spatial requirements.

When touring homes, account for potential changes over the next 5-10 years. Does the basement have potential for converting into an in-law suite or home office when needed? Are there unused spaces like a garage that could become a workout room? A house that can gracefully accommodate your evolving needs is ideal.

Update Potential

Many buyers scopes out homes that check all the boxes aesthetically. But minor cosmetic fixes are far simpler than located the ideal home layout and neighborhood. Unless structural changes are needed, don’t let outdated appliances or cabinetry deter you.

Pay more attention to layout, size, outdoor space, and other factors you can’t easily alter. Cosmetic changes like installing new floors or replacing the kitchen backsplash are fairly simple projects.

Ask About Average Utility Costs When You Tour The Home

An energy efficient home can yield huge savings on monthly bills. During showings, inquire about the average cost of utilities. How much does the current owner typically spend on electricity, water, gas each month? This info clues you into how efficient (or not) the home is.

Well insulated properties with modern HVAC systems, updated windows and doors, tankless hot water heaters, and other energy savings features can drastically reduce utility costs.

Home Inspection is Critical

Before finalizing a purchase, it’s highly advisable to get a professional home inspection. An experienced home inspector will check for potential issues with the roof, foundation, pipes, HVAC system, and more that may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Big ticket repairs like replacing a roof or HVAC system can costs tens of thousands of dollars.

Consider Long Term Costs

Crunch all the numbers to determine the home’s total cost of ownership beyond just the purchase price. Property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and interest rates all factor into the monthly and yearly expenses. If the mortgage payment far exceeds your budget, it’s probably not the right fit no matter how much you adore the home aesthetics.

A home that stretches your budget too thin can quickly become a financial burden, especially if unexpected repairs arise. Be realistic about what you can comfortably afford monthly and long term.

Safety First

An often overlooked but incredibly important consideration is neighborhood safety. Check online resources like Neighborhood Scout to view in-depth crime statistics for any area you’re considering. Schedule showings at night to see what the vibe is after dark. Talk to locals to get insights that data alone can’t provide.

Prioritize being in an area where you feel completely comfortable going for a jog at night or letting kids ride their bikes around the neighborhood.

Future Resale Value

While you never want choose a home purely as an investment vehicle, resale value does matter. Ensure the neighborhood and home style align with broader market trends for your metro area. For instance, walkable urban areas near public transit with smaller homes tend to see strong demand. Outlying suburbs with sprawling McMansions may lose favor and value over time as preferences shift.

Ideally you’ll live in your home for years, but it’s still smart to consider future resale value. Look at historical appreciation rates for the neighborhood. Review the composition of nearby homes – uniformity typically bodes well for valuations.

Trust Your Instincts When Buying The House

Data points, goals lists, and logical analysis certainly help narrow the search for your perfect abode. But don’t discount the power of your instincts and inner wisdom. Ultimately choosing a home is a highly personal decision that combines both head and heart. The right home just feels special from the moment you walk through the door.

Q: How can I find the right home for my family?

A: Finding the right home for your family is an important decision. Start by considering what you need in a home, such as the number of bedrooms and whether you need a yard or other outdoor space. Create a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves so that when you look at homes, you know what you want. You may also want to enlist the help of a real estate agent who can help guide you through the process.

Q: What are some ways to know if a house is right for me?

A: When looking for a home, make sure it fits your lifestyle now as well as in the future. If you are looking for your first house, consider factors like monthly budget and how much work needs to be done if it’s an older home. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, take time to think about whether you like the home and that all of your needs are met. Don’t forget to picture yourself living there!

Q: What do I need when buying my first house?

A: When purchasing their first house, many home buyers need assistance from both financial institutions and real estate agents. It’s important to research different loan options offered by banks so that you can choose one with interest rates suitable for your budget. Likewise, working with an experienced real estate agent gives buyers insight into current market conditions which can help them find their dream home.

Q: How can I make sure I’m getting the right house?

A: Carefully researching properties is important when making this major purchase decision. Look into local zoning ordinances, research past sales prices in neighborhood comparables, check local crime statistics if available, and speak with neighbors about their experiences living in area homes if possible.

Q: What should I put on my wish list when looking at homes?

A: Your wish list should include items such as desired location details (neighborhoods/school districts), size (number of bedrooms/bathrooms), layout (open floor plan/multi-level), outdoor space (patio/yard/decking), energy efficiency (windows/insulation), storage needs (garage/closet space), amenities (pool/gym) etc.

What Factors Should I Consider When Buying a House From a Family Member in Canada?

When considering purchasing a family member’s house in canada, several factors should be evaluated.

Q: How can I prepare myself financially before buying a house?

A To properly prepare yourself financially before purchasing a new house it is important to get pre-approved with lenders prior to searching for properties so that they know exactly how much they qualify for each month without going over budget once they find their dream home.. Additionally it is vital to save up enough money not only for closing costs but also any unexpected costs associated with owning a new property such as repairs or renovations.

Conclusion

The home buying process can be daunting, and when you are ready to buy, it can be overwhelming wondering how to know if you’ve found the right house. As a homebuyer, there are many factors to consider before making the right decision of owning a home. Touring the home is important as this will give you the best chance to know if it fits your needs. From making sure the monthly payments fit your budget, to finding yourself on the balcony picturing what life would be like – these are all important considerations before putting in an offer and potentially buying the house of your dreams.

Every home has its unique features and benefits that make it stand out from others, so make sure you take time during the home buying process to get a feel for every potential purchase. You likely need to determine if your budget is able to handle monthly mortgage payments yet not ready yet for homeownership – so being sure of your decision is essential before taking that leap.

Sources:

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgage-real-estate/09/buy-house-emotion-free.asp

Ready to turn your real estate dreams into reality? Contact Richard Morrison, Vancouver’s top realtor with 20+ years of experience. As a Medallion Club member and RE/MAX Hall of Fame award winning agent, he’s the expert you need on your side. Whether buying, selling, or investing, Richard’s personalized approach and deep market insights ensure a successful transaction. Reach out to Richard today at (778) 900-2235 and make your real estate journey seamless and rewarding.

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