Advice for Buyers

These are just a few things to keep in mind when you are looking for a new home.

1. Does the home appeal to you when you first drive up? Like most other things in life a good first impression is important. Landscaping and paint colors can always be changed but other things such as a bad driveway or location aren't so easily remedied.
2. Does the floor plan make sense for your needs? If you like to cook or entertain you might want a larger kitchen and dining room or a big backyard. Maybe your furniture is oversized and it won't fit in the room. For example, you might have a large bedroom suite that has bookcases on each side of the headboard using up 10 ft of wall space. It might work great where you are now but if in this new home there isn't a wall with 10 ft of blank space and enough room to walk around then you might have to keep looking. A window in the middle of the wall would not be a good thing. Trust me, it does happen. Usually there is a wall designated for the bed/headboard and in an older home the larger entertainment style headboards can be a problem.
3. Can you see yourself in the space? If you can't picture your life happening in that home it may not be the right one. You wouldn't want to be in your new home and not feel comfortable. Again it's like that good first impression.
4. Are there any restrictions on the property or in the neighborhood? If there isn't enough storage for you and you are considering a yard barn or other outbuilding there might be covenants that restrict sizes, styles, or even placement. This also applies to fences and pet enclosures.
5. Maintenance for the property can be a bit daunting if you are a first time home owner or buying new construction. Planting a new lawn and landscaping requires more time and potentially more money than a home that already has most of this work done. At the same time an older home will require more maintenance to the home itself that a newer home. It's a matter of give and take.