Shelly Rampetsreiter

8 Things to Consider When Buying a Home

1. How many people will the home accommodate?
   This will help you determine how many bedrooms you need and the overall square footage you will require in a home.
    
2. How do you feel about yard work?
   Do you dream of owning a home with a large open yard or one that almost feels like a cabin deep in the woods?  Do you absolutely hate working outside?  Do you want the yard to accommodate a host of activities for you, your friends, and family?  Do you have a pet(s) that need space for exercise?  All of these factors will influence your choice in home.  While a condo or home in a neighborhood that provides lawn care, snow removal, etc. may be a good choice for those that don’t enjoy yard work or simply don’t have the time.  Other home buyers would prefer to maintain a garden, lush landscape, pool, etc.  Keep this in mind when specifying your criteria for your home.  Many people don’t put enough thought into this factor and end up regretting their decision in home choice after it’s too late.
    
3. Do you or any other potential residents of the home have any special needs?
   This may be important in that you may require a home that is a single story home due to mobility, or maybe you require wider door openings.  Think about steps and whether or not there would be an easy way to accommodate the resident if there are.  Do you require a garage of a certain size, height, etc. due to the need for a special type of vehicle?  Do you need a shower vs. a tub, again consider these types of things in searching for the right home.
    
4. What stage of life are you in?
   This may play an important part in selecting your next home.  Do have a specific school district you would like your children to attend?  Do you want kid-friendly amenities nearby (a community park, neighborhood park, etc)?  Do you want to live in a “walking” neighborhood, one with sidewalks which may be safer for younger ones riding trikes and bikes…?  Are any convicted child molesters living in the immediate vicinity?  On the flip side, would you prefer to live in a community for those that are entering the golden years of your life?  Would you like a community that hosts group activites, group outings, etc.  These are all factors you need to consider when purchasing a home…
    
5. What type of community (or privacy) do you prefer?
   Many people enjoy the feeling of community; therefore, they would like to select a home in an area where this is a since of community and neighborhood involvement.  Maybe they hold annual garage sales, or have an annual parade, etc.  Again, would you prefer a neighborhood conducive to taking daily walks and/or walking your pet(s)?  Would you prefer homes on much larger lots or in secluded areas which give you a feeling of privacy?  Would you prefer to be somewhere in between the two extremes?
    
6. Do you want “move in ready” or a “fixer upper”?
   You may decide a fixer upper is the better choice because you could save some money on the purchase price, but be careful that you do not get in over your head.  It may end up costing more than it’s worth if you don’t have the expertise or the money to do all that’s required.  If you are not one for taking on projects, a move-in ready home may be the best choice for you.
    
7. Do you need to be close to your place of employment or public transportation?
   If you are considering moving to an area you are not familiar with, it may be a good idea to consider the traffic patterns.  While it may be physically closer to your job or other areas of importance, it may actually take longer based on the congestion, etc.  Do you need a home that is close enough to walk to transportation or drive your vehicle a short distance to get there?
    
8. Finally, consider amenities and features in the home that are “nice to have” vs. what you would consider essential…