WHAT TO FOCUS ON WHEN HOME SHOPPING

So you’re starting your house hunting journey… you’ve set your budget, gotten pre-approved, and discussed your wants and needs, and now it’s time for the fun part — going to see the homes you’ve narrowed down!

However, the universal truth of home buying is that you will never find a house that has every single thing on your “must have” list. So, when walking through houses, it’s important that you try and focus on your list of needs… specifically on the things you cannot change.

To help break it down for you… 

Pay attention to:

• Location, neighborhood, and distance from your work, shopping, schools, etc.
• Yard size and the view / what is surrounding the home
• Square footage of the home, • The number of bedrooms / bathrooms, the bedroom sizes, etc. 
• Your non-negotiables list
• Make sure to look at the condition of major systems like the HVAC and roof (these are not small expenses)

Ignore things like:

• Seller’s style and decor
• Clutter and disorganization
• Poor landscaping

Don’t worry about the paint color, and who cares if the house has horrible brass fixtures and ugly carpet? You can change those things in a couple of days, without dropping a ton of money. Try and look beyond the surface, and even the dated kitchen, to see the hidden potential of a home, and you might just check off all of your “must-have” items!

If you’re thinking of buying, save this post for later! Have questions about the homebuying process and where to start? Send me a message, I would love to help you get started in your home search!