What To Look for in Your New Home

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Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but also a daunting one at that. After all, purchasing a property to live in is a significant life decision and a substantial financial investment.

Everyone will have their own priorities for their potential property, but there are some things you will want to keep in mind to avoid the pitfalls and empower yourself for a successful home purchase.

Location, Location, Location

This is probably an obvious one, but it still bears mentioning. Your home may have imperfections, but most other things can be fixed if you love its neighborhood and location.

While you're house hunting, keep in mind your lifestyle, needs, and budget. Consider any potential home's proximity to your work, traffic, ease of access, the charm of the neighborhood, how the house is oriented on the property, noise from neighbors, as well as community amenities and access to parks, shopping, schools, and public transportation.

Working with local realtors can help you determine the best neighborhood or area for you. For example, in a city like Hamilton, with so many distinct communities, thriving arts and culinary scenes, nature, and schools, having Hamilton real estate experts who know the area aid you in your search can be extremely helpful.

Think Beyond Furniture

It's important to think about how any furniture you have or intend to purchase will work in your new space, but don't forget about your non-furniture needs.

When most people imagine life in a potential new home, they often forget to factor in storage. Most people will wind up needing more closet or garage space than they end up with because they forget all the belongings they have crammed in their attics, basements, garages, and sheds.

Think About the Long-Term

It's easy to imagine what the first few months or years will look like in a new home, but what about beyond that? Think about how your needs will change as the years go on, and picture how life in your new home will look in that time.

If you're considering having children or already have children, consider how a potential home will look as they grow up. Conversely, if you're older, think about the stairs and whether the house can be adapted if you become a little less mobile.

Act as if You Live There

Don't just breeze through the house. Test out everything you possibly can during the viewing or open house:

       ●       Turn the lights on and off.

       ●       Climb every staircase.

       ●       Flush the toilets.

       ●       Check water flow in sinks and showers.

       ●       Imagine cooking your regular recipes in the kitchen.

Consider neighborhood noise. Imagine whether the noise will reach you if you're near a park, school, or playground. These are little things that buyers tend to skip that will come up on a daily basis.

Never Skip the Inspection

A good inspection is critical to know the condition of a house. Most homebuyers only look at what they can see, while an inspector looks at everything you can't see — the roof, insulation, etc.

Ensure that your contract to buy the house is dependent on a good home inspection, and thoroughly read the inspector's report as an opportunity to go back and renegotiate the price.

Purchasing a home can be overwhelming, but following these tips can provide you with peace of mind as you embark on a new adventure.