What to Look for in a New Home – Part 2

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In the last article, we talked about a few things that you want to look for in a new home, particularly the size and layout of your home. In this article – the 2nd of a 3 part series – we’re talking about the little things that make a difference.

So here you are, at square one, about to go embark on the long (and sometimes anxiety-causing) process of buying and owning a home in the San Fernando Valley. It is sure to be a wild ride. Right now is the best time to stop and consider what exactly you are looking for. After all, you don’t want to be halfway into your house-hunting and realize that you don’t even know what you want. You might have to start over. Maybe some opportunities will be lost by then. You need a grid by which you can evaluate whether prospective purchases measure up.

When it comes to owning a house, what is important to you? Make a list. Prioritize. Maybe the price range is most crucial. Maybe paint color is the first thing you think about. Perhaps all you care about is whether there is an office and a guest room, two bathrooms and a recreation room. But beyond these things, isn’t there a whole lot more to think about?

For example, think about where you need to be located. Do you need to be near a school? What school will it be? If there are differences in quality or reputation between the area schools maybe that will limit your location preference considerably. Do you need to be near work? Near a bus stop? Or a grocery store? Or a major highway? Do you want to be as far away as possible from a major highway? Would you rather live near downtown, where the action is, or in the furthest outstretches of suburbia where the only sound that reaches your ears is the sound of your neighbors watering their lawns?

You are also going to want to consider the structure and condition of the home. Sometimes (but not always) the price of the house is a key indicator of its quality: a solid house that will stand for decades should cost more than a home that is about to fall down. Knowing your price range isn’t just about deciding the size of the house, but also how solid it is. Is it a “fixer-upper” that you plan to buy cheap and flip? Is it a modestly priced home perfect for the newlywed couple without a lot of money but handy with a hammer? Or maybe you want to buy something that is ready to move into and doesn’t require a single ounce of work, except for hanging the blinds. So you need to ask yourself, shat are you prepared to fix and what kinds of messes are you just not willing to deal with?

Sometimes the people that are selling a house will paint it or put in new carpets thinking that will steer your eyes from the real problems. Painting is easy. Carpets are not a big deal. What you should be watching for is leaky plumbing, stains in the ceiling, mold in the corners, drafts by the windows, cracks in the foundation or the basement, siding and shingling that is looking old, and furnaces and water heaters that look like they are on their last legs. Remember that many houses will have their own unique quirks, so don’t be too unrealistic, but get it straight in your mind what are the red flags to you and what are the bonus marks.

There are so many things to think about when you are looking for a home and it can be quite overwhelming. This is where Realty Counselors Inc can be very helpful. They have experience to keep you on track and keep you focused on the important things. They can look beyond a fresh coat of paint to give you the real view of what makes a home a good investment. But think about what is important to you and what your priorities are so that your house search can be as painless and promising as possible.

Stay tuned for the third part in the series, next month, where we talk about your needs… both now and in the future!

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