Buying a home is both a financial and lifestyle investment. Rushing to purchase a property that doesn’t meet your living needs will only cost you more as a homeowner through repairs, maintenance, and renovations.

There are also instances in which your total buying costs would exceed the property’s actual market value if you’re not meticulous during the house-hunting process. Always keep in mind to make your money worth it because too much is at stake here.

With that said, here are 11 tips to consider as you browse listing sites, attend open houses, or search through real estate listings for homes to buy.

1. Location

Choose a home that’s close to amenities such as schools, grocery stores, markets, and recreational parks. Better yet, pick a location that’s close to your workplace to save fuel costs.

2. Site

Is the foundation of your dream home safe? You must ask the seller or real estate agent about the history of natural disasters in the area. Specifically, ask for a history of earthquakes.

3. House size

The square footage and the number of bedrooms and restrooms of your ideal home should reflect the size of your family. The more kids you have or plan to have, the more rooms and bigger room sizes you’ll need.

4. Yard

Consider the yard’s size, shade, landscaping, amount of privacy it provides, and amenities. See to it that during your house hunting, you’ll be able to find one that fits your preference and needs.

5. Neighborhood safety

Ask the house seller or real estate agent regarding the prevalence of crime rates and domestic violence around the neighborhood. You’ll also want to choose a home where sanitation is highly observed.

6. HVAC

A home can never be called a home if living in it isn’t comfortable. Be sure to check the condition of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units during your house hunt. You don’t want to buy a home that would add repair costs to your monthly expenses from the get go.

7. Lifestyle

So what type of lifestyle do you have or want to follow? Is it eco-friendly, smart, or minimalist? Answering this question will help you choose a home with a certain type of feature. Eco-friendly homes focus on water and energy conservation. Smart homes focus on the use of gadgets and other technologies. Minimalist homes focus on space-saving functions and ease of living.

8. Repair and maintenance

Housing materials and appliances develop wear and tear over time. In home ownership, the less you know about doing maintenance and repairs, the smaller and fewer appliances your house should have.

9. Kitchen

While you can remodel a kitchen anytime you want, it’s best to pick a home that caters to your needs from the start to save money. Imagine how your ideal kitchen should look like such as the number of cabinets it has and the positioning and sizes of tabletops.

10. Windows and lighting

Facing direction is one of the important things to consider during a house hunt. Some people want to wake up greeted by the sun while others prefer more privacy. The direction where your house faces also dictates how much lighting your living room receives during the day - a good point to consider when saving lighting costs.

11. Exterior and curbside appeal

Don’t just focus on the interior of your home. Pay attention to the curbside appeal as well. Does the lawn have wet spots? Is it clear enough to show the beauty of the house? Or is it large enough for you to do your desired landscaping ideas?

Imagination is the key to buying the best or perfect house for you and your family. You must visualize your dream home first from the roof design down to the square footage. Then, make a checklist of all the attributes your dream home has for your house-hunting journey.

More articles on house buying here just for you!

• Why Do Home Sellers Reject Offers From Buyers?
• How To Make An Offer On A House
• 7 Strategies To Evaluate A Local Real Estate Market Before Buying Or Selling
• How To Know That You’re Finally Ready To Buy A House
• 8 House Inspection Tips Before Buying (PART 2)