Things to consider when buying your forever home
Updated: Feb 2, 2022
Not all properties out there have what it takes to be deemed ''forever homes''. Furthermore, what one believes could be the place to settle down for good, others might disregard altogether. In other words, we all have different definitions of dream housing. Still, there are some universal things to consider when buying your forever home - ones that can help you conclude whether a specific property is worth your time.
The most important things to consider when buying your forever home
Are you looking to buy a house with the intention of staying there for a while? If so, you'll have to carefully approach the whole process to ensure the property you end up acquiring is truly the one for you! The following are some of the things to have in mind when basing your decision.
Location
The first on our list has to be the location. After all, while virtually all imperfections around the property itself could be fixed, there's only so much you can do about its surroundings. If the neighborhood doesn't suit you and your lifestyle, it's recommended you steer clear of it. That's why it pays to study the local area beforehand. This will help you determine which neighborhoods in Arlington, for instance, could be the best ones for your family. It's once you've completed your research that you can continue your search for the perfect home.
Size
How big is your family, and do you have any plans of extending it in the future? Those are incredibly important questions to answer, as they'll ultimately allow you to decide on the right size for a home. Since you are looking for a place you'll possibly spend the rest of your life in, it's only natural you'd like it big enough to accommodate all of your and your loved ones' needs.
Budget
If only all of us had enough money to buy any house we wanted. The sad reality is, we don't, which is why the hunt for a forever home while on a budget might seem like a true juggling act. But don't despair! Your ideal house is waiting for you somewhere out there. You'll just have to search for it harder, within the range of how much you are willing to spend.
Layout
What worth is a home if its layout doesn't quite suit your needs? To establish whether it does, you'll want to ask yourself several questions, some of them being:
How dependent are you on the spaciousness and flexibility offered by an open-floor plan?
Would you prefer the master bedroom was located on the main floor or upstairs?
Would you like your children's bedrooms near yours?
Does the current layout allow room for expansion?
Which room is the heart of your house?
Although things to consider when buying a forever home are many, the importance of a proper layout is incredibly high if one of the household members happens to be living with a disability. You'll want to pay special attention that the chosen property is arranged in such a manner that it allows for their simplified life.
Have you already stumbled upon a house in Virginia with a layout you believe is ideal? In that case, it's time you bought it and arranged your move in Virginia! We trust you want the simplest relocation possible, which, thankfully, is more than doable - provided you hire a local moving crew you can trust.
The condition of a house
Unless you are buying a recently-built house, chances are you'll have some work to do around it. If you've set your mind on purchasing a fixer-upper, you are probably ready to spend time and money on repairs. But if that isn't the case, well, you'll have to assess the condition of a house first to see just how much spending will actually be involved. You can do a bit of surveying yourself. However, it's the professional home inspectors who can provide you with an in-depth analysis.
School district rating
If you've got kids, you'll want to make sure the neighborhood you are buying in comes equipped with decent educational facilities. The higher-rated the school district, the better. It's also not unusual for homes in the best-rated neighborhoods to grow in value at a faster pace, which is something that might come in handy if your children decide to sell the house once it becomes theirs, for example.
Yard
Between having a yard or having no yard, most people would choose the first option, making its presence a part of the things to consider when buying a forever home. The dedicated outdoor area has become especially important these days while we are still dealing with the ramifications of the pandemic. With many people still self-quarantining and working from home, the possibility to seek comfort in their own gardens truly seems appealing. Honestly, it's all the same with kids. Although, for them, a yard is a place they can have an immense amount of fun in!
Although most folks prefer having a yard over not having it, some believe it's nothing but a nuisance. It's something that requires regular maintenance, which they have no time for. For them, a perfect house they wish to stay in forever is the one with the least amount of outdoor space to keep tidy.
How to know when you've found ''the home''?
The truth is, you'll know it when you see it. There's something called ''intuition'' that happens to kick-in in at all the right times. And if that alone doesn't cut it, the gut feeling, when combined with the things to consider when buying your forever home we've mentioned earlier, should help you reach a final verdict.
If you are looking for a Realtor that specializes in Arlington real estate, give me a call. In all honesty, I know the market very well because I have lived here all my life. With me, you can find the real specialized help that you’re looking for. Bonus, I’m pretty social too! Follow me on Facebook @Brad Winkelmann Real Estate Arlington VA, Orange Line Metro.