With so many homes in the Treasure Valley available on the market today it can be difficult to narrow it down to which one is the right one for you. A good place to start finding that home is to develop a wish list; there are many factors to be considered. From the lifestyle you want to live to the style of home that best fits your needs, a wish list of features and details is a great way for you and your REALTOR to be clear on your objectives.
Location, Location, Location:
Do you need to be near public transportation? How far of a drive is it to work, groceries, or the kids school? All these things and more are important to consider when looking for that perfect place. Is it important to be near the hustle and bustle, or away from it?
Fixer-upper vs. Move-in ready: Many home buyers are anxious to buy a fixer-upper in order to make their mark on a new property; are confident in their renovating skills or eager to hone them. Another good thing about fixer-uppers is that they can also cost considerably less to a new move in ready home. Unfortunately many times the burden of the move can often overshadow or completely cancel the well intentioned updates that were so much a part of the initial home buying plan. It is important to consider all sides of this situation before you buy to keep from taking on more than you are ready to handle.
Schools: Consider not only the closeness of available schools but also the quality. Everyone knows that the policy and level of service can range widely from school to school. Visiting schools around where your dream home is located is good practice, meet the faculty and find out which school will fit your needs best.
Style: Potato, potahto. Some people like the clean lines and light spaces of a modern design, others enjoy the warm charm of a Victorian home. Look through magazines and websites, read up on architcture and decide what style of home might best fit your taste.
Good Neighbors good fences: Be sure and consider the neighborhood you will be calling home, as well as those living around you. The last thing you want is to find that perfect home and find out months later that the homeowners association is run like a third world dictatorship and you’ll be fined $300 every time you forget to bring in the newspaper. If you get the chance while visiting your potential new home take a minute to talk with the next door neighbors if they are out and about, or at the very least make sure you’ve got a decent fence.
Old vs. New: Older homes can be full of charm and character, unfortunately they can also require a lot of heft maintenance and updates. While new homes are by no means maintenance free they can come with warranties from builders and are less likely to have any issues with staying up to current code.
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get all of the items on your wish list. Having a solid idea of what you want in a home written out will help guide you in the right direction during the search for your dream home. The best place to start is by working with a qualified Treasure Valley REALTOR.
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2011 was a surprising year for real estate; 2012 is looking to be off to a rolling start. Mortgage rates are still low and so are home prices for the most part, but in many areas we have begun to see an increase in pricing and even the return of multiple highly competitive offers on homes for sale in the Treasure Valley.
