Читать книгу SMART ESSENTIALS FOR BUYING A HOME - Amy J. Hausman - Страница 8

Most home buyers today are looking for a great price, energy efficiency, functionality and comfort in the home they purchase. Yet finding all the right features in the perfect location can be harder than expected … despite a wide selection.

When you’re in the market to buy a home, shopping for a home in your price range is a straightforward procedure. Finding the right-size home in the right condition and the right area is worth the search. One reason home shopping can be a challenge is the “downsizing” trend in recent years in new-home construction. To keep costs down and meet marketplace demands, builders have been trading size for lower sales prices, nicer amenities and better locations. On the other hand, that may work perfectly for you.

Need storage? Want cozy? Prefer energy efficiency? No matter what’s top on your list, here are eight tips to help you make the best decisions. Use these proven pointers and you can move into your next home faster, cheaper and more simply than you might imagine.

1. Do your homework. Take time to do online research about neighborhoods that interest you. Then test drive and walk them in person. For amenities that are important to you and your family — work, schools, shopping, parks, playgrounds, etc. — figure out how far they are from the area you’re considering. Drive routes during rush hour to get a realistic sense of commute times.

2. Be prepared. Before you start viewing homes, secure your down payment. This is worth repeating: Know exactly how much you can afford by getting pre-approved for a home mortgage. This tip alone will make your purchase offer more inviting to sellers, as they will know you have your financing elements already in place.

3. Stay flexible. Don’t box in your needs for a home. If you’re looking for a home office, consider extra bedrooms, dens, unfinished spaces in basements or attics, or even dividing a large room to carve out office space. Ditto for play areas for young children or space to host guests. Even if a listing doesn’t specify the perfect configuration, if everything else seems like a good fit, take a look at what the home holds that could fulfill your needs completely.

4. Go green to save. Not everyone is an eco-warrior, but who doesn’t want to save a little cash? Look for energy-efficient systems and features in the homes you view — or determine if they can be retrofitted with energy-saving elements later on. ENERGY STAR appliances and other energy-saving labels will alert you to money-saving features. Ask the home sellers for previous utility bills to see the true costs of operating the home.

5. Prioritize rooms. Consider and rank the importance of rooms and features in the home you are looking for. Is the four-bedrooms requirement a must or a would-like? Is an eat-in kitchen necessary, or would a counter area that seats four be sufficient? Is a first-floor master bedroom totally a deal breaker? Understand the “wants versus needs” on your house hunting list before you set out. That way, when you find that gem of a home, you’ll be ready to make an immediate offer.

6. Look ahead. If the homes you view are hard to see past the clutter, needed repairs or personal belongings, take a moment to step back and imagine what your furniture and belongings will look like in the space. Don’t be overwhelmed when not seeing a perfectly staged home. By looking beyond the existing contents of a home, you may find the perfect home — and get it for a great price — because no one else can see through the owners’ stuff.

7. Don’t forget the formalities. No matter what your concerns, consider your home-inspection money well spent. Be sure to attend the inspection, if possible, because you’ll learn a lot about the property. Then read the entire report. Be sure your purchase contract accommodates your decision for a home inspection so your new home doesn’t come with costly repair surprises. To find bargains, home buyers should look beyond price … including location, terms, condition and amenities offered.