Imagup General Magazine 2024
Buying a new home for yourself or for your growing family can be an exciting experience, especially if you’re finally buying your dream home. Whether you’re looking for a temporary home or a retirement home, there are several factors that you need to consider when looking for a suitable home.
Depending on the purpose of your move, you will need to look into each factor and put more thought into what aspects you must prioritise in order to live comfortably.
Before setting an appointment with a real estate agent or looking into some properties online, try to think about the kind of home you’d like to live in for the foreseeable future. If you haven’t thought about your dream home, you can start envisioning one using the following ideas:
Features You Want
As mentioned above, each person has a different goal for moving into a new home. If you’re buying a new home to accommodate the needs of your growing family, the options might be limited since you need to think of convenience and easy access to essential facilities or infrastructures. For example, if you have school-age children, you must prioritise being near a good school rather than having a picturesque view.
If you’re already at the stage where you can buy your dream home, you will have more options since you will be considering features that are meant to fulfil your wishes and not meet needs. For example, you can choose a property that offers a breathtaking view of the sunset or somewhere a little further from bustling cities.
You can create a sizable wishlist, but keep in mind that everyone’s wishlist might be different, so you might have to make a few adjustments to find a property to accommodate everyone’s wishes.
Neighbourhoods and Surrounding Communities
Your new neighbourhood and the surrounding areas can greatly affect the experience in your new home. You might think that it won’t matter since you can adapt to the situation, but it will be more convenient for you to choose an ideal community and neighbourhood on the get-go.
Find a community and neighbourhood that suits your needs and preferences. If you prefer a peaceful and quiet environment, you can look for homes that are situated a little further away from urban areas. If you prefer being just a short walk away from restaurants, cafes, and other essential infrastructures, it may be best to look for properties within or close to urban areas.
Costs
As you may already know, buying a house can be costly. Aside from paying for the house itself, there are also other expenses involved in moving your belongings from your old residence to the new one. If you’re after an interstate move, it might be better to hire professional removalists to help you move your belongings to minimise damage and stress.
If you’re opting to move on your own, you will still need to buy quality packing materials and rent a moving vehicle to relocate your belongings.
When possible, research potential moving expenses and how much they will cost. You can create a detailed list and plan the budget for your move. Other than preparing the budget for buying the home, ask your agent or the seller about payment plans for your chosen property. This way, you will be able to buy your desired home without being buried in debt.
Lot Size and Location
Another crucial factor that you must consider on the get-go is the size and location of the lot where the house is situated. Keep in mind that whilst it is possible to repair or even rebuild the property, you won’t be able to change the lot size and location of the lot.
If you have kids and you’d like to have enough space where they can run around and play or if you’re planning on having a home garden, consider getting a property located in a spacious lot.
If you prefer a more peaceful environment, consider finding a lot that is located at the end of a street or somewhere further from other establishments. In case you’re not comfortable with the location of the lot where your dream house is located, consider looking elsewhere and revisit the property if you fail to find a similar house in another location.
Age of the Property
Buying an old or new home has its advantages and disadvantages. There’s no denying that older homes have a certain charm that many people find appealing. Aside from having a unique exterior design, they also possess unique interior features. If you’re opting for historical houses, it is important to note that these kinds of properties will require more care and maintenance due to their age.
If you prefer getting a home that requires less work and has enough space to accommodate all your belongings, it will be better to get a modern home or build a new one on your chosen lot. In some cases, you will be able to add some of the features you like during the construction or make some changes to adapt the home to your needs.
Home Style and Layout
When choosing the aesthetic and layout of your home, you will want to get something you will be proud of. It may be forgotten with all the buzz and excitement in choosing a home, but it’s important that you choose a home style that fits your personality.
For the layout, consider how you will be using the home in the future. If you’re fond of having family gatherings where everyone loves sharing the same room to exchange stories or do various activities, opt for a home with a spacious living room or dining area. If you’re hosting smaller gatherings or everyone in the family appreciates having their own space, consider a layout that offers privacy as everyone does their business.
Compromises You Are Willing to Make
Whether you’re moving on your own, with a partner, or with the entire family, it will be challenging to find a home that checks everything on your wishlist. Hence, you need to determine what compromises you’re willing to make in order to live comfortably in your new home.
For example, choosing a property in an urban area means that you have easy access to essential and leisure facilities, but you’ll barely have any peace and quiet since the streets are always busy with cars passing by and pedestrians walking to and from various commercial spaces.
