If you are a first-time home buyer, what’s the best way to go about the search? The temptation to browse many types of properties is real. Suppress the urge by beginning with the end in mind. Establishing parameters based on the needs and wants of your household will make the process manageable and more fruitful. About.com’s video tutorial, “First-Time Home Buying Tips,” lists the basic steps for navigating the journey. When the homework is complete and you feel ready to start walking through houses, consider the catchphrase used by many real estate experts — “location, location, location.”
The old adage still proves true. Though the recent real estate crisis has upended some of the traditional must-have’s, location still rules. According to Marianne Cusato’s blog, “5 Must-Know Real Estate Trends” featured in Huff Post Miami, buyers are less focused on square footage and more attuned to efficiency of space and proximity to local services. Everything’s relative to the unique needs of the buying household. Cusato encourages buyers to focus on the following criteria — 1) livability of the home, 2) feasibility of the daily commute, 3) efficiency of the floor plan, 4) staying true to the heart over following the trends, and 5) connectability to the local community.
Resale value is important but not the only determining factor for selecting a property. While the market can be forecast with historic data, there’s no glass ball with which to squarely predict the future. Choosing to live in an area that supports jobs, solid public schools, and local amenities is perhaps the best way to hedge your investment. So when it comes to your home search, what are your top five must-know’s?