You’ve made the decision to buy a home and you’ve committed to research and view homes with your buyers agent. You’ve done all your due diligence, gotten your pre-approval and through all the ups and down, you finally find the home you love…but then you find another!
If you are lucky enough to find two (or more) amazing homes and you just can’t decide which to put an offer on, here as some tips to help you make the decision.
Related Article: The Home Buying Process
As they say… It’s all about Location…Location…Location
Compare both homes to determine if your current and future location situation would help rule one out. Consider travel time to work and school. Shorter commutes can save a bundle in gas and give you more free time for family and other fun things. It’s also important to look at the school district if that applies to your family.
These are the people in your neighborhood
Take a real good look at the neighborhoods the homes are located in. Is it a good fit for your lifestyle? What is the proximity to stores, restaurants and hobbies you like to participate in? Is it mainly families, singles or professionals? Do you have the ability to walk, ride bikes and are the streets safe or are there suitable yards to play? Is it quiet at night or is there a business near by that my disturb you? What’s the air quality? Living near a farm seems like a great idea until the wind blows.
It’s all about the Benjamins – $$
If location is the same, which house is now or will be more affordable in the long run. Don’t just base your decision on the sale price of the home since you will likely be looking in a similar range. But, be sure to think about the future maintenance needs of each home. One may require an expensive repair in the near future where the other does not. Also, consider how the heating system affects the price, as gas will be cheaper than electric or oil. And over the course of 30 years, that can make a huge difference to your budget.
Related Article: Pre-qualified vs pre-approved – What you should know
I want it!
If location and price are similar it’s time to look at what you REALLY want. Which house has the bells and whistles you need? What items on your wish list do you really need to make your life easier and more comfortable? Do you need a garage for storage and keeping car out of the weather or a big yard for play and entertaining? Consider also the size of yards and gardens. Do you have the time, equipment and desire to take care of it? Run down the initial list that you and your buyers’ agent discussed and see which home fills more of the boxes.
Go with your gut
After all the pros and cons have been laid out, you need to decide which home really makes you the happiest. Odds are you got that sentimental feeling when you viewed at least one, so which one just feels more like home? Can you picture yourself raising a family there? Can you see your furniture in the space? Can you visualize the backyard parties with friends? Whatever it is, choose the one that just feels right and you can’t go wrong.
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