Are you looking to move? While starting over in a new place can be new and exciting, figuring out exactly what you’re looking for can prove to be stressful. Do you know what to look for in a new home? From contemporary homes to Victorians, and big metro areas to the country side, there are many decisions that go into finding a home, but how do you know it’s the one once you’ve seen it?
To make things easier, the checklist below outlines what to look for in a new home:
- Interior layout: Your floor plan can have a large effect on how you and your family function day to day. Can everyone in your family handle multiple floors? Are the hallways narrow? Walk through the home as if you were going about your typical day. If you find yourself avoiding corners and walls, imagine what it would be like when you’ve moved in with all of your belongings. Look for a natural floor between each room and you should be golden.
- Size of rooms: You don’t want the rooms to be too small, but you don’t want them to be too large either. Be sure to bring measurements of your furniture to make sure it all fits, and take note if you find a large area of extra space. If you can’t fill a whole room, then why waste the money heating it?
- The lot: While you may be attracted to the big back yard, make sure you take a look at it first. If the lot is too steep, then it could be more of a harm or hassle than you bargained for. Especially if you have small children, the yard layout is important for safety purposes.
Also consider if you want to make improvements in the future. Will you want a pool or gazebo? Perhaps you want to add on a sun room. Make sure that you have enough room to do these things. - Natural light: Especially if you’re seeing homes at different times of the day, it’s often easy yo overlook the importance of natural light. Remember that the number of windows does not always equate to more light shining through. Consider the orientation of the home. Will the light shine through in the morning or at night? Or from the east or the west? Be sure to see the house multiple times, preferably at different times of the day.
- Weather: If the area you live has long, cold winters, you may want to think about having an attached garage and covered entrances. Gravel driveways aren’t easy to shovel, so consider opting for something paved with asphalt or brick. Warmer climate livers may want to focus on shade. Having plenty of surrounding trees can help shade the house and keep it cooler in the summertime.
- Parking: Finding a home with a garage or parking lot isn’t usually an issue in suburbs or rural areas, but if you’re moving to the city, you’ll want to make sure that you have private parking. Some towns and cities have rules regarding street parking as well. If you have multiple vehicles or plan on entertaining often, give parking some thought.
Working with a home builder will make sure that you get everything you want in a home. However, there are many single family homes for sale that need just a little bit of tender love and care in order to transform them into your dream home.
Consider the points above when you find yourself wondering what to look for in a new home, and you’ll be able to figure it out along the way.
