Think Before You Buy

The home buying process can sometimes take longer than buyers expect. Finding the best home within the desired neighborhood within a set price range isn't always a one and done process. It takes time to comb the market, evaluate all your options and have a reliable realtor who knows how to search for the home you're looking for. As you begin your house hunt, it's important to know the parameters of what you're looking for. That way you can put direction behind your search. You'll also need to know what aspects of your new home you're willing to compromise and which one's you're not. To help, here are some of things that I tell my buyers they should never compromise on when considering a home.

5 Things You Should Never Compromise

1. LOCATION - You can change a lot of things about a house, but you can't change where it's located. So many times buyers find the home their looking for in a less than ideal neighborhood and make the decision to buy without considering the longterm effects. Unfortunately, if you don't like the neighborhood before you move in, you're surely not going to like it after you've lived there for a few years. In this decision also take into consideration commute time. Choosing to live somewhere a little bit further away to save money may seem like a good idea until the longer than expected daily commute to work begins to take effect. Also take into consideration your lifestyle when choosing location. If you make the decision to live elsewhere, does this area match the originally intended lifestyle? All in all, where you decide to live has the biggest impact on your overall happiness with your investment. 

2. SIZE - Knowing what size home you need to live comfortably goes hand-in-hand with the location of the home. If you know you need 3 bedrooms, are planning to expand your family and will eventually need more rooms or have decided that a minimum of 2 full baths is a requirement then you should stick with those decisions. Don't compromise the number of rooms you need for other reasons and decide to figure it out at another time. Investing in a home is a long-term decision and the size is a definite no-no when it comes to compromise. 

3. LIGHT - Natural light and airflow is another factor that is unchangeable when it comes to the home. If you like a bright, open-air layout don't settle for anything less. While you could compromise with installing overhead fans or lights, the end result will never be the same as having the desired amount of sunlight or the perfect breeze in your favorite room of the house. Don't sacrifice livability for other easily obtainable options. 

4. BUDGET - Don't be lured into exceeding your initial budget. It's one thing to bend, it's another to exceed. It doesn't matter how great the house is, how perfect the location is and how much you love it. If you can't afford it then don't overstretch your budget and stress yourself financially. To help understand your best budget, it's best to account for all factors including an annual provision for maintenance and a contingency fund for unexpected occurrences. 

5. LAYOUT/STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY - It can be costly and difficult to change the layout of a home. Equally dangerous can be investing in a home with a shaky foundation. This usually applies to an investment in older homes. However a floor plan that cannot be altered, impractical room sizes or a structurally unstable home are not worth compromising over. 

Ready to Move? 

Now that you know what you don't want in a home, it's time to decide what you do and connect with an experienced real estate agent in the area that you're looking to move to. If you're thinking about making the move to South Orange County or are looking to relocate within this region, then I would love to help you find your uncompromisingly ideal home. Contact me today to get started on the house hunting process.