You're ready to fall in love with your first home. As you write your wish list, you may find that it grows longer than you'd imagined. You want more living space, a place to do your art and crafts, enough bedrooms to expand your family or accommodate relatives and friends, a separate master suite, and an entertaining area that will impress. All in the best neighborhood, of course!
Welcome to the first lesson of homebuying - you won't find the perfect home, but you'll find one that's perfect for you right now, and that may mean doing without a swimming pool or hilltop view. I recommend you choose three home essentials to begin your search.
1. Price range - Your lender will prequalify you and tell you how much you can afford, based on your down-payment, credit history and debt-to-income ratio. If your limit is $300,000, it won't benefit you to look at homes that are $400,000.
2. Neighborhood preference - Choose neighborhoods based on a radius of where you want to be, whether it's in a certain school district, close to work, or near family and friends.
3. Bedrooms and bath requirements. Start with three bedrooms and two baths, typical for a starter home.
By sticking to basics, you'll find you have plenty of homes to consider. You'll narrow your selection more quickly if you're not distracted by showy or unnecessary features, and ultimately, you'll be more satisfied with your new home.
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