Shopping for the Right Home

There’s no perfect way to go about your home search, but a little thinking ahead can help you make the best decision.

1. Evaluate your needs now and in the future

   • What will your family look like in a year, five years or ten years?

   • Will you need more bedrooms?

   • Do you need space for a potential home business or storage for a new hobby?

   You can’t predict the future, but you can anticipate the needs of your short- and long-term plans.

2. How long will you stay in the home?

   Right now it might feel unimaginable to ever want to move again, but there may be a next stage and next home in your future.

3. Avoid focusing on cosmetics

   • Ugly paint color, old carpeting and outdated finishes are all easily changeable.

   • House staging can look very attractive but also be very impractical.

   • When walking through houses, picture how you will use the space.

4. Look at streets and neighborhoods

   Walk around at different times of the day and night to get a feel for a potential new location:

   • Will you have enough privacy?

   • Does it feel safe?

   • Talk to neighbors and see if the vibe is what you’re looking for.

   • Are people friendly?

   • How is the overall noise level?

5. How will your belongings fit in the space?

   You don’t want to have to buy all new furniture for your new house, and you don’t want to run out of storage space before you’ve moved in. Make sure the home’s layout can accommodate your needs without a lot of changes to your lifestyle.

6. Determine non-negotiables and must-haves

   Before speaking with a real estate agent, decide what features you can’t compromise on and where your priorities lie. If you must have three bedrooms or will not consider a house on a busy street, be clear about that up front.

7. Determine where you can be flexible

   After you make your list of must-haves, make a list of “would be nice” elements that are a bonus but not a deal-breaker.

8. Decide how much work you can do and afford

   If you walk through a home and start imagining tearing down walls or adding bathrooms, do a reality check about your home improvement abilities and the costs involved.

9. Consider nearby amenities and commutes

   • Do you want to be close to a grocery store, park, restaurants or other places you frequent?

   • What will your commute to work, school or other regularly visited spots be like?

10. Keep your emotions in check

    Try to be as objective as possible. Evaluate a home based on your needs and budget to decide if it’s the right house at the right price.

Ready to buy? Get in touch with our local mortgage lending experts or get preapproved. 

Still researching? Explore our Mortgage Learning Center.