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Lancaster PA Real Estate - First Time Home Buyers part 2

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

buying a home in lancaster pa

More info for first time home buyers can be found in my previous post.

Figuring out your wants and needs in a home is one of the first steps in buying a home.  It is important to differentiate between things you need and things that would be a bonus.  I also like to think of a few things that would be "deal breakers;" things that you just couldn't live with no matter how great the rest of the house is!

 Think of how you live now; where do you spend the most time?  Do you need a guest room or would a finished basement suffice?  Do you need an extra room for a home office? What about your eating preferences?  My family never used the formal dining room, so I found it was easier for me to have a kitchen and dining room that were open to each other.  What about a mudroom?  Where do you prefer your laundry room? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need now; and what if your family grows?

Storage is also an issue.  Do you need an attic or basement with storage? Make sure you have enough closet space for clothes and out of season items.  What about outdoor items; a shed or garage may be important for exterior storage.

 What about a fixer upper?  If you aren't handy this may not be an option for you. My husband and I personally love finding really outdated or run down houses and fixing them up.  But my husband is especially handy and can fix just about anything.  Fixers can be a great value if you do the work yourself.  If you are going to need a contractor, I recommend getting estimates before putting in an offer, but remember this is only an estimate and you never know what may be discovered when you start working on a house. 

The age of the home should also be a consideration.  Lancaster, PA has many older homes and they have great character but can also need updating. They may also be less energy efficient if they don't have replacement windows, good insulation etc.  Homes built before 1978 usually contain lead paint.  A good home inspector can point out any outdated mechanicals or potential problem areas. lancaster pa real estate

What about the exterior of the home? Do you want a yard?  If so you need to consider the cost and time required to maintain it.  Maybe you are more interested in having the exterior areas taken care of for you; condos can be a great option when the snow removal and mowing are taken care of.

These are just some of the things to think about. Make your list before you ever start looking so you won't be overwhelmed by all the options out there.  You also need to decide about the most important part in choosing a home: LOCATION! But that's another post...

To search homes in Lancaster, PA:

lancaster pa real estate

lancaster pa real estate

Lauren Krady is a real estate professional with Coldwell Banker, the nation's oldest and most trusted brand.  She is a member of the Jeff Geoghan Realty Group and serves all of the Lancaster City PA homes market with superior customer service and dedication.  Contact Lauren to start your home search in Lancaster City and beyond by calling her at (717) 824-7236.

Comments (3)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Lauren, Every one of those things is something important to think about.  I know I couldn't deal with a fixer upper and location is important because of my work...but all of these would be taken into account.  Great post.

Dec 08, 2008 11:24 AM
Lauren Krady Lancaster
Keller Williams Realty - Lancaster, PA
PA Realtor

Thanks, there is a lot to consider, but it is so much fun!

Dec 09, 2008 06:59 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Good post , here's 12 points !!!!!!!!!!!!!!   http://actvra.in/4hVj  

Jun 17, 2014 01:12 PM