Let's take a
look at the first home you might buy.
Use the following checklist and questions to determine your needs.
Use the following checklist and questions to determine your needs.
Personal
Data:
Some
Things to Think About:
Number of people who currently live with and will be moving with you ___________ This should include you, your spouse/significant other, children, extended family, etc.
Number of bedrooms you will need ___________ Does every child really need a separate bedroom?
Number of bathrooms you will need ___________ Remember someone has to clean them.
Note: The above will determine the minimum size of the dwelling you are looking for. Be realistic about this for your life as it is today not sometime in the future.
Property Data: More to Think About
Type of dwelling You may want to look at more than one type.
Attached (condo, coop, or townhouse) ______ (circle type{s}) Are there fees? Maintenance of Shared Walls and Outdoor Spaces? Privacy?
Owner Occupied Multi Family ______ Do you want to be a landlord? Privacy? Less Out of Pocket Costs?
Single Family ______ Yard and Exterior Maintenance? Isolation?
Style of Dwelling
Single level ______ Anyone with difficulty climbing stairs?
Multi Level ______ Where is the laundry facility/room? Location of bedrooms?
List Favorite Types (Ranch, Colonial, Tudor, Bi-Level, Etc)______________________________________________________________________________
Storage Needs Can you live without it or rent it somewhere else?
Garage _____
Basement _____
Attic _____
Specialized Structures (Barns, Etc.) _____
Size of property you need ___________ Remember someone has to care for it. Ask to see how big it really is.
Type of neighborhood
Urban ______ Energy, excitement, may be close to work, noisy
Suburban ______ More land but not isolated, quieter
Village or Community ______ Access to services, walking distance to everything
Rural ______ Ultimate in privacy and quiet living
School District(s) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: Even without children you should look at the school district data for tax impact and resale purposes.
Distance to Work (Maximum you are willing to commute?) __________ Remember that time spent commuting is time away from home and family
Access to Public Transportation Important? Y _____ N _____ Does everyone drive or do you need mass transit?
Distance from Friends and Relatives __________ Moving away can create a feeling of isolation, think about this carefully
Take this with you when you meet with your Real Estate Professional so they can help you find what you need for your first home. I suggest working with a Buyer's Agent who can look out for your best interests during your search and help you follow through with the purchase when you find something.
If you are looking for real estate in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York I would love to help you. If you are looking elsewhere I will help you to find an agent who can work for you in the area you want to live in.