Whether you are single, in a relationship or a part of a family, buying a new home is a big step. While you’re walking through any number of San Diego open houses, it’s easy to become so enamored by the process of buying a house that you may not think as clearly as you always should be.
Because of this, some people rush into buying a home that may not be the most perfect fit for themselves or their family. So, while you are out on the hunt, we encourage you to be mindful of your future by taking these questions into consideration before buying a house.
How Big Will Your Family Grow?
The size of your family, both current and in the future, is integral to the house that you are going to purchase.
One of the most important aspects to consider when looking at any house is its size, which can be broken into two smaller categories: the number of rooms and the total square footage.
The number of rooms will tell you how many bedrooms and bathrooms are in the house as well as whether or not there is a dining room, den, living room and a finished basement. Keep in mind that more bedrooms does not equate to a larger house. A three-bedroom home can measure 2,000 square feet while a four-bedroom home could only measure 1,800. This results in more bedrooms that are smaller in size.
How Long Will You Stay in this House?
Are you buying a starter house and will be out in less than 10 years or do you plan on staying indefinitely?
The length of time that you are going to be staying in the house is an important consideration to make. It also ties to the first question of how big your family will grow. You don’t want to buy a smaller house and plan to stay for 15 years only to outgrow it in five.
What’s Do You Want in a Neighborhood?
Location is a word that we can’t use enough in the real estate business. You can change a lot of things about the house that you buy, but you can’t change its location.
Ask yourself what you want in your neighborhood. Do you want good schools? Close proximity to parks or beaches? Do you want to be by stores and restaurants? You want to feel comfortable and right at home in your neighborhood.
How Much Can You Afford to Pay Per Month?
Price is always a determining factor when buying a home. It is important to be pre-approved for a loan before you start looking at houses. That way you will be able to know what you can and cannot afford to look at.
Also, remember that a mortgage is not the only monthly expense you will have. Most mortgages include PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance costs), but they do not include things like utilities, child care, food and everything else you may need in your life.
When buying a house, you can ask your realtor to request an average utility cost from the person who owns the house. This can help you better gauge what you can afford to pay each month.
Ready to Start Looking?
Once you have taken into consideration what you want in a house and neighborhood, you are ready to get into the market. At Metro San Diego Realty, we can help you with everything from your search to your purchase. Get started today by contacting a realtor.
Posted by Jason Coriano on
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