If you are getting ready to start looking for a new home, you may feel overwhelmed at the many choices laid before you. Because you do not want to make any rash decisions, you may be stuck when trying to come up with the best way to proceed. If so, consider making a couple of checklists to take with you each time you go to view a possible home for you and your family
1. Prioritized List of Features You Would like to Have
One checklist you can prepare before you start viewing houses is a list of things that you would like to have. For this list, you and your family can go crazy and use your imaginations to come up with features that you would each consider those that would make up a dream home. Even if something seems over the top or downright silly, write it down.
Once you have finished your brainstorming session, start placing numbers next to each item to determine their priority over other features. For example, if you already have children and are expecting more, you may want your dream home to have enough bedrooms for all of you with an additional room to plan for growth. This would be a priority over having a fireplace or a jacuzzi in each bathroom.
If any of the priorities have to do with colors, just remember that once you own a house, you can paint the walls any color you want or replace the carpet. Once you have your priorities sorted, remake the list into a checklist in descending order so that you tick off included features of each house.
2. Vital Systems That You Need to Inspect
While finding a home with a majority of your wishes would be wonderful, you do not want to neglect to check out the vital systems that make up the house. Systems such as the plumbing and heating and cooling units as well as the condition of the foundation are key items that you need to inspect when you view a house.
If you neglect to take into consideration the basic makeup of the house, you may face major repairs or renovations once you own it. Make a separate checklist for each house so that you do not overlook something important, such as checking the foundation for cracking or the pipes in the basement for leaks.
Having your lists ready before you start viewing potential houses can help you narrow down the selection to make your final decision easier. For more information about each house before you view it as well as help with determining features you should look for, speak with your real estate agent.
