5 Things To Look For In Your Dream Home

   1 . It fits your budget. It's important to know how much you can spend on a house before seriously considering buying one. Remember that you'll need to be pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking. Your funds should also be allocated for moving costs, renovations, and other bills that you might incur in the process. An ideal home shouldn’t be one that breaks the bank. 

   2.  It’s in a great location. While you can renovate or change some features of a house, location is something that can’t be altered. A property’s location should be key when determining if it’s a good fit for you. Just because a house is marketed as in a prime location doesn’t automatically make it ideal. Here are a few points to take into consideration:

• Proximity to your place of work. Unless you’re working from home, you should always consider the distance of your house to your place of work or business. You’ll be a lot more comfortable when you won’t have to travel long to get to work and vice versa.
• Neighborhood type. Do you prefer to live in robust urban areas? Are you more comfortable in quieter neighborhoods? Take note of your access to supermarkets, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment spots when researching neighborhoods. 
• Schools. Do you have kids who go to school? Just like the proximity to your place of work, your kids’ school address is also a key factor to know if a property is indeed in a good location. If you are moving to a different city or state, take some time to research the different schools in the area. 

Moving to New Jersey? Check out these popular New Jersey neighborhoods that home buyers love! 

   3.  It has a great exterior. Your house exterior is the face of your home. It’s the first thing you or guests will see upon arriving. Knowing your preferred house exterior will significantly narrow down your home search. Here are a few architectural styles to spark your imagination:

• Contemporary. A level roof, wide windows with lots of natural light, and symmetrical shape are common features of contemporary houses. With its two-story design and efficient use of space, contemporary homes are ideal for those who want a lot of room to move around.
• Farmhouse. Farmhouses are usually symmetrical, with bedrooms on the upper level and social areas downstairs. These houses also have beautiful covered porches and long, narrow windows. 
• Cottage. Cottage-style houses are a mix of old architectural designs and modern construction. They are built with deep porches, upper and lower levels, and several windows for natural light. 

   4.  It’s the right size. How do you know if a property is the right size for you? More than its floorplan, it should also coincide with the following:

• Your long-term plans. If you’re single, consider if you’ll be living by yourself or with roommates. If you are planning to have kids soon, look for a place with enough rooms for a growing family.
• Your personal preferences. What’s your favorite room in the house? Do you want to have a cozy reading corner or convert a whole room into a study? Do you like cooking for your family and spending time sharing meals? Maybe you’re planning to have an awesome media center to watch movies with family or guests. A perfectly sized home is one that will seamlessly fit your lifestyle. 
• Your workspace. The pandemic has such a deep influence on work and life that people are now creating workspaces in a home. Your ideal home should have a space where you can work or where your kids can study without distractions. 

   5.  It has a good outdoor space. A good outdoor space is one of the popular reasons that people move to New Jersey. An outdoor space gives you more opportunities to add your personal touches to a home. You can grow a garden, have a spacious garage or shed, or a nice backyard where your kids can play. 

Finding a new home will be less stressful and more exciting if you know what makes a property an ideal home. 

Ready to start your homebuying process? Chat with us. We’re happy to help!