Top 6 Things to Consider When Buying a Home
Buying a house is a HUGE step in life! To choose a whole home that fits your needs today, ten years from now, and in the right location, is a big deal and can be very overwhelming! When I was looking for my first home, I remember I toured one and called Katie after and as she asked questions about, “does it have x, y, or z?” I couldn’t remember a thing! And remembering interior details is my job and life’s passion! Haha! I also get a lot of calls from clients who wonder, “Can we take these stairs out?”, “Is this kitchen workable for my dream?”, etc. Today, I’m going to give you a rubric to go by when looking at homes so that you can stay focused, have clarity between one house and the other, and try to make sure that your home goals don’t get lost in the shuffle.
1. Natural Light
Sellers do their best to make their home seem wide open, bright, and clean. Thank you, Sellers! Stay aware of what rooms are really getting good natural light. Designers can work a lot of miracles, but we can’t change the path of the sun! Will the sun set on the back wall that has 20’ high windows? Or does the outdoor kitchen block all natural light from coming in the main family living space? Will the sun blind you while washing dishes at that kitchen sink window? Here’s an insider tip: Take note of sun-faded flooring materials as a clue toward which windows are getting a lot of light!
2. Power Capacity
This one sounds intimidating but it doesn’t have to be! Look at the electrical panel—is it full? Are all the switches labeled? If yes, to add that fridge+freezer+wine column might require way more electrical work and drywall mess than you’re expecting. The pool or kitchen you want to add would require a sub-panel. That would just make your renovations more expensive and should be something you’re aware of before dreaming and scheming! A secondary thought here is where will your phone charge? iPad? Kid tablets? Make sure there are outlets where you’re hoping for them!
3. Yard Size
Are you creating a Martha Stewart hosting+chickens+garden oasis for yourself? Then you’ll need space and light to do that! If you’re not planning on creating that life for yourself—do you want 2 acres of lawn to mow? Consider not just the curb appeal of the home but how the exterior of it will really function—where will you sit and eat al fresco? Where will the trash cans live? How far will you have to drag the water hose to water?
4. Family Needs
Of course you should consider beds/baths and if there are enough for the life you’re building for yourself! You should also consider things like “in ten years, we’ll need backpack clutter organization like lockers”, or “in 20 years I’ll want a play-space for grandkids and a bunk room.” Do you want everyone cooking together—is there room? Do you want everyone watching TV together? Is there room? Do you want a home library? Or a home office? A school room? You may be reading this point and thinking “this isn’t our forever home yet, I don’t need it to have all of that.” But keep in mind that, usually, you stay longer than you first intended! It may not be your legacy home, but will it serve you for the next 5 years?
5. Windows vs Window Shapes
Replacing windows is easy on the scale of home renovations, but changing window shapes is much more difficult. If every window is arched, and you don’t like that, don’t buy that house! If every window is too small for what you’re wanting—don’t buy the house. It is possible to reframe every window and fix the interior and exterior—anything is possible!—but it is more expensive than a simple window replacement.
6. Where Will The TV Go
If possible, bring a sofa-sized roll of paper. Sofas are much larger than we ever imagine once they’re actually in the space. Be ready to check that your sofa will fit! Also, think of the room furniture arrangement. Will furniture have to cover up the windows? Or the doors? Will the main walking path be between you and the TV? Will the counter stools be in the way if someone is sitting in them?
I hope this helps you as you navigate the home-buying process! I also want to encourage you that the home you’re looking at may have it all—but it may not! Boil your priorities down to your real sticking points and hold firm to those! The right house is out there—just waiting to become your dream home! And, of course, if it needs a little help getting there, you know who to call!
