With the housing market exponentially benefiting sellers right now, buyers are putting offers on homes thousands of dollars above the asking price. But before you rush to get your dream home, you should contemplate a few important considerations when buying a house.
Location
When you’re searching for a home, the location is vital. While you could have your heart set on one neighborhood, be sure to take some time to check it out. Questions to ask include:
- Is the home near places you often visit?
- Is there an excellent school system for your kids?
- Is there easy access to main roads? Is there often traffic congestion?
- Would you be more comfortable on a cul-de-sac or near the main entrance of the development?
Water Well
You’ll encounter extraneous factors when looking at homes outside of suburban areas. Most rural properties are on well water, and if you purchase a home with a well, you’ll have to contend with factors you might not have considered before. This includes whether the house has an older well and what that means for you.
Bedrooms
When buying a home, most families will have a general sense of how many bedrooms they need. While having a separate bedroom for each child is typical, some families prefer shared bedrooms. Having regular visitors like grandparents can make having a spare bedroom worthwhile.
And if you can include another bedroom, a spare room can double as anything: a guest room, home office, or playroom. Take a moment to consider your lifestyle and how the floor plan of your home can accommodate it.
Bathrooms
You should consider how many bathrooms you’ll need. Older homes might only have one; can you live with one, or will you have to add another one? Also, think about the style and size of the bathroom. If you enjoy taking baths, is there a large tub or at least enough space to add one later?
Age
The age of the house is also a huge factor — if the home is older, how old are the appliances, as well as the plumbing and electrical systems? While old homes have lots of charm, you might have to contend with repairs in the future.
Newer constructions might be better options if you’d like to have an open floor plan and updated bathrooms.
Even though the housing market is wild right now, it’s in your best interest to take a few moments and contemplate these important considerations when buying a house.