What to Look for when Buying your First Home

First-time home buyers usually wonder how many homes they should look at before making a decision. While there is no hard and fast rule for the number of houses one should view to make sure he/she is buying the best property for the lowest possible price, but more is usually better.

The best way to start your search for a dream house is to sit down alone and ask yourself a few basic questions, such as what kind of home or apartment do you want to buy? How spacious should it be? Which location suits you the most? And the most important question – how much can you afford for your dream home? Once you have found answers to all these questions, search for a competent and qualified real estate agent in your area.

Now sit with your Realtor and discuss with him the kind of house you want to buy. Estate agents normally have a list of houses open for sale on the market. Your estate agent may interview you to have a clear picture of your requirements before showing you the first home. Some of the most common questions that your realtor may ask include:

• How do you want to feel on entering your new home?
• Do you have a particular style of home in your mind?
• What are your interests/hobbies?
• Do you have pets or any plans of having pets in future?
• Do you like gardening?
• Do you like walking and bicycling?
• Do you have a car?
• Do you want to be close to child care and schools?
• Is being close to shopping arcades important?
• Do you want to be near a ski hill, or a pond or lake?

If you are not interested in gardening and for you maintaining the front lawn is the most difficult task in the world, then your realtor may show you a townhouse or a condo. If you are a nature lover, your agent will be showing you homes on the countryside.

Once your realtor has a fair idea of your preferences, he will take you to show a few houses that fit your requirements. Never buy the first house you see, no matter how close it is to your dream home. See as many houses as possible, so that you can better compare between different options.

Even if you have decided to buy a house, never start the buying process the same day. Make another appointment with the owner of the house and take some friend or family member with you the next time you go there. Others may be able to notice a few issues in the house that you failed to detect on your first visit. You should also have the home properly checked by a professional surveyor so that you know exactly what you are paying for.