So, you’re looking to purchase a home? That’s fantastic! The home buying process is very exciting and is one that you will remember forever. However, if you’ve never bought a home before, searching for the perfect home for you may seem a bit daunting. No need to worry, with a few tips and suggestions on what to look for in a home will be a piece of cake.

The main item that you should look for in a home is the right price. Price will ultimately decide what you will or won’t be able to buy. The best way to determine your price range will be to get pre-approved by a lender. The lender will be able to approve you for a loan up to a specific amount based on your income, debt, and credit history. This will allow you to start the home search with an idea of what you will be able to afford.

Another item that you should look for in a home is if it meets the criteria for your long-term plans. For example, if you are looking to start a family within the next few years then you will want those plans to be accommodated in your home. 

As a homebuyer, another important item that you should pay attention to when looking at homes is the property condition. Before you go home searching, you should already have an idea of what is acceptable for you and what isn’t. That way, when you’re touring a home and looking at the condition of the property you will already have an inkling of whether or not the house is for you. Some questions to consider when thinking about this are: Is the house move-in ready? Does the house need any updates? Does the house require any major renovations? By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to determine where to move forward.

While there are many things to look for when searching for your home, there are also items that should not be focused on. No house is perfect, so it is essential that you try not to get hung up on little imperfections. Items such as paint, hardware, furnishings, and landscaping can all be changed. Focusing on minor cosmetic details such as these could keep you from purchasing a really great home. Similarly, try not to get distracted by clutter as well. When you tour a home that is occupied sometimes it can be hard to envision yourself living there with all of the seller’s belongings sitting in the home. But it’s important to remember that all of that clutter will be removed by the time you move in. Whenever you tour an occupied home, picture the home as a blank canvas and make your decision from there.

Lastly, when you are looking for the perfect home make sure that you have a list together of all of your wants and needs. There is, however, a big difference between a want and a need. A need is something that is absolutely necessary for you to purchase the home. A want is something that you would like the home to have but you can live without. Practicality and functionality should always take priority over bells and whistles. For example, you may say that you need the home to be in close proximity to your place of work but that you want the home to have white kitchen cabinets. Items such as these are important to know before you go house hunting so that you can determine whether or not a house is for you.