Choosing the perfect home is a big decision for any first-time buyer. Not only do you need to take steps to make sure that you’ve chosen the property that appeals most to your family, but you also need to keep your budget in mind.
Most of the time, people assume that they’ll simply know instinctively when a house is right for them. While it’s true that you’re likely to feel a draw toward one house over the others that you view, chances are that you’ll need to think carefully about the things that you do and don’t like about the property and what your opportunities are. Remember, your home is probably one of the biggest investments that you’ll ever make, so you should never rush into a decision. Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether a property is right for you.
Knowing “that” feeling
Sometimes, prospective homeowners see a property on the market, and from the moment that they roll up to the curb, they know that the house is something special. If you can feel a tingling inside your chest that’s drawing you inside, then that’s a pretty good sign that you’re on the right track. However, the feeling often goes deeper than this.
Usually, if a home is right for you, then you’ll feel comfortable the moment that you step through the door. Though you might not like the color of the walls or the carpeting, the property itself will have such an impact that you can immediately envision yourself repainting, decorating and organizing your furniture. If you feel instantly possessive about the home, no matter its flaws, then you’re probably in the right one and you should contact whichever company is overseeing the sale, if you were in West Kensington and those iconic ivory coloured Victorian houses captured your heart, you’d know right away to give Finlay Brewer a call in order to have the best chance of securing your dream home.
What needs to be renovated?
Remember, just because you love a home, this doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily going to be perfect. The important thing to keep in mind is that if your problems with the property are just skin-deep, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble making changes.
Some of the most common areas that new homeowners take issue with when viewing a potential property include paint schemes, flooring, windows and other decorations. Usually, these things have been designed to the tastes of the previous owner, and when you’re budgeting, you’ll need to ensure that there’s enough room left in your bank account for making a few basic adjustments.
For instance, if you’re worried about getting enough light into a room or improving your privacy with large windows, then you might install some bespoke window shutters to help upgrade your new home. Alternatively, you might simply need to grab some new accessories and paint. Whatever you want to change, make sure that you include the cost of renovations in your budget.
Can you afford it?
Before you allow yourself to get carried away with the thought of your new luxury home, you need to sit down with a calculator and make sure that you can afford it. This means checking that you have enough money for the deposit, the mortgage payments and any extras.
Usually, it’s a good idea to do your budgetary calculations before you even start looking for a property. After all, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than finding the house of your dreams only to discover that you can’t afford to pay for it. Remember to not just think about your initial deposit but also your monthly payments, any legal fees and the costs of repainting and decorating. Once you have a general idea of how much you can afford to spend in total, you’ll be able to start your search with the confidence of being able to say “We’ll take it!” when you find the ideal house.
Can you envision a future in the house?
Buying your first home can be a scary prospect for anyone. However, if you can see yourself and your loved ones sitting in front of the fireplace or cooking dinner in the kitchen, then chances are that you’re in the right place. Your perfect home welcomes you in with open arms and prompts you to think about the barbecues that you’re going to have in the backyard or the family game nights that you’ll host in the living room.
Falling in love with a home is important, as this will help make any changes that you undergo when moving in seem like a tiny part of the journey toward your ideal property. Remember, trust your feelings: most of the time, they’ll lead you down the right path.
