Terri Ramsey Beavers Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. In most cases, you’re locking yourself into debt for the next three decades. On top of this emotional and financial pressure, your home is the place where you will spend the majority of your time outside of work. You need it to genuinely feel like a sanctuary. Otherwise, all that debt and stress will feel like it’s for nothing. With all these factors considered, it’s vital that you do the groundwork needed to make wise decisions. The seven factors below should help you find the right choice.
What Lifestyle Do You Want?
The first thing to think about is the lifestyle you want to live. For example, if you’re looking to live large by the ocean in Australia, you might want to look at luxury penthouses for sale on the Gold Coast. On the other hand, if farm life in Oregon is more your thing, you’d be better off hunting for a rural acreage that’s still close to the services and amenities you need.
What Can You Afford?
Many people make the mistake of considering affordability only in terms of whether they’ll be able to make mortgage repayments. The reality is that you’ll also want to factor in a whole host of costs related to buying your property, moving in, and setting up your new life. Be prepared to check into the finest details, including how the new location will impact your insurance premiums.
Have You Checked The Build Quality?
If you’re hiring someone to build your house for you, you’ll need to research local builders to ensure you find someone reputable who will deliver a high-quality result in a good timeframe.
If you’re buying an existing house, you won’t necessarily have access to information regarding who built it. However, it’s still worth hunting down as much info as you can get. This will add context to any inspection reports you have.
Will You Be In A Good School District?
If you have children or want them in the future, another essential factor to consider is the school district you fall into. This won’t be as important if you’re intending on going private the whole way through their education. However, it is a vital consideration for those wanting to send their kids to a public school.
Is There Access To Public Transport?
Even if you don’t catch a train, bus, or tram that often, the ability to do so is important for your ease of getting around and your resale value. So test out the public transport options close to any property you’re seriously considering.
Is There Access To Personal Enrichment?
Enrichment comes in many forms. For example, a family may want easy access to parks, playgrounds, and other fun facilities. Meanwhile, a working childfree couple may place more value on access to serviced offices, nightlife, fitness facilities, or national parks. You need to consider what kind of enrichment you value and ensure you live at least somewhat close to multiple options.
What Are Your Long-Term Plans?
A house that’s perfect right now might not be perfect forever. Our futures are never set in stone and plans and desires change, so it’s impossible to completely future-proof your home. However, it’s still important to consider your potential wants and needs. By doing your best to factor these things in, you’ll find a house that can easily adapt to your life as it unfolds.
Selecting a home is a big choice – one that will have implications for years to come. Hopefully, these tips help you make the right decision. Happy house hunting!
