Now that you have been pre-approved and you have an understanding of how much you can afford for monthly payments, you are ready to define and search for your ideal home!


The Importance of Being Realistic

It is important to be realistic about what home features you can afford. For example, if you're looking for a starter home, a gourmet kitchen or jacuzzi-equipped bathroom might not be in the cards! However, the South Shore has enjoyed tremendous home appreciation with a steady demand for homes. What does this mean for you? This means that even a starter home is an excellent way to build equity and perhaps upgrade to a home in the future that has more of your ideal features.

An experienced and knowledgeable realtor can help you obtain as many of your ideal features as possible, while remaining within your budget.

List Your "Must-Have" Features

It's a good idea to make a list of key features that you would like to see in your ideal home. When you start looking, you are going to realize that everything on that list will not be satisfied. In this sense, house-hunting becomes a game of 'give and take'. For example, you may find a home that has large rooms, gas heat and a garage, but the home may not have the large yard that you are looking for. Be sure to list your priorities as well as the things that you can live without. It's not likely that you'll find a home which satisfies 100% of the items on your wish list, so knowing what your priorities are is extremely important.

Let's begin by making a list of what you are looking for and what is important to you. List your needs and wants with your highest priority at the top. Here are some examples of features you might be considering when searching for your home:

Location

• Community/Town
• School System
• Public Transportation, such as Bus Line/ MBTA Subway or Commuter Rail
• Access to the Highway
• Main Road/ Side Road
• Close to Amenities (Supermarkets, Hospitals, Restaurants)

House

• How Many Bedrooms?
• How Many Baths?
• Are the Rooms Spacious?
• Is There Enough Kitchen Counter Space and Cabinets? If Not, is There Room to Add These?
• Do You Want a Big or Small Yard?
• Would You Like a Garage?
  

Take Notes - and Ask Questions!

What you should look for when walking through a home?

In addition to comparing the home to your minimum requirements and wish lists, use this guidelines and consider the following:

• Is there enough room for both the present and the future? If not, is it possible to expand on the home?
• Does the home have enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Will the bedrooms fit your bed and bedroom furniture?
• Is the house structurally sound, i.e. does the foundation appear to be cracked or damaged? Does the roof appear to be rotted or uneven?
• Do the mechanical systems and appliances work?
• Is the yard big enough?
• Do you like the floor plan of the home?
• Will your furniture fit? Bring a tape measure to confirm.
• Does anything need to repaired or replaced?
• Most importantly, picture yourself being in the home. Imagine yourself cooking in the kitchen, watching TV in the living room, etc.

Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Remember, bring a tape measure and a notepad. Jot down detailed notes on each house you see and list the pros and cons of each house. When looking at multiple houses, it is easy to forget the features of each house you see, and your notes will help you remember which houses you have questions about or would like to see a second time. Your real estate agent can help you point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

What questions should you ask when looking at a home?

Many of your questions should focus on potential problems and maintenance issues.

• Does anything need to be replaced?
• What things require ongoing maintenance (e.g.,roof, HVAC, furnace, appliances,etc)?
• Also ask about the house and neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues
• Ask any and all questions that you may have. Make a list of questions ahead of time. This will help you organize your thoughts as well as keep track of the answers.

Now that you have a solid idea of what you're looking for in a home, it's time to consult a professional real estate agent who will make your home search a pleasant and stress-free one!