How to Find Your Right Home (A Quick Guide to Making That Big Decision)

For first-time homebuyers, acquiring your dream home may not be as simple as saying that you want a “two-story house with a garage in a quiet neighborhood.” Clearly, there's so much more to a home than that. You should not be restricted to the price either since it is only part of the bigger process. 

You must closely think of what you really desire in your home. Perhaps it will help to prepare a list of features that you prefer. Here’s a quick list of the parameters, home features and amenities that could guide you in finding that dream home of yours.

Location and Neighborhood

• Suburbs or Country - The houses here are generally more expensive but often newer. These are also farther away from the cities.
• Urban - Closer to many employers, entertainment districts, restaurants and schools, but also often noisier.
• Busy Streets - Often, these are homes on streets with more traffic.
• Cul de sac - Cul de sac is a short road which is closed off at one end. It is a common choice for buyers with children.
• Corner lots - These are often larger lots with fewer neighbors.
• School Districts

Number of Stories

• Single Story - A single story house is easier to clean and gives easy access for individuals with certain medical conditions.
• More than One Story - These houses provide more living space. There is also less noise if members of the family have their bedrooms upstairs.
• Split Levels - A house style in which floor levels are staggered. It typically has a square footage on same size lots as ranch homes. 

Interior Specifications

• Number of Bedrooms - The common minimum requirement is three bedrooms. However, two bedrooms appeal mostly to first-time homebuyers and seniors.
• Number of Bathrooms - A house with more than one bathroom is preferred by most people.
• Additional rooms - Extra space for children's playroom, media/art rooms, hobbies and others.
• Square footage - Larger spaces offer more room. But in the end, it is still the layout of the room that is the most important. 

Home Style and Home Exterior

• Garage - You can choose from an attached or detached garage.
• Home Construction - Specify your preferred roof, flooring, yard and primary material of the house.
• Special Amenities - Include fireplaces, pools, among others.

Specific Home Features

• Condition of plumbing, electrical, heating & cooling units.
• Available utilities such as DSL, cable, satellite and others.

Bottom Line

If you’ve decided to buy your dream home, hire an experienced real estate agent who will help you through the whole home buying process. He/She will guide you through your house-hunting, whether it is through the local MLS, or through his/her property listings.