What Criteria Are You Looking for in a Home?

What criteria is important to you when you are considering purchasing a home. A home purchase is most likely the single most important transaction that you will have in your lifetime.

I recommend that every client to make a needs and wants list, what may be negotiable items.

One of the most important factors in the beginning of the home search process is meeting with a Real Estate professional. Your Realtor will assist you with identifying what criteria to consider when selecting a home to purchase.

Another extremely  important consideration is how much can you afford. There is no point in looking at properties that you cannot afford, unless you are getting decorating ideas.

After you have met with your Realtor, and your lender, you can begin the process of finding what will be right for you! The following are questions that you may consider when beginning your home selection process

Consider the city and location you would like to reside in.

Will you consider living in a condo? Condos are typically attached (although not always) and may have common walls. Or there could be someone living above you. Also, keep in mind that condos do have association fees. These association fees typically pay for common area space and maintenance. Some condo association fees pay for the insurance building insurance, and maintenance of the condos (i.e. roof, painting, siding).

Do you need to reside in a gated community? There are both condo associations and homes that are in gated communities. Keep in mind, that gated communities will have an association fee.

Do you prefer a single family home? Consider the size of the home, lot, and the maintenance on the property (landscaping, etc).

What about the age of the home. In the Newport Beach area there are many homes which were built in the 1960’s.

Will you consider purchasing a “fixer”? Are you handy? Do you have the resources andor time to fix it up? Consider the cost of remodeling when looking at homes.

Are you on a time frame? Is there a time period that you need to be moved in and settled? If that is the case, you may not want to consider a fixer.

Is the school district important? Whether or not you have children a school district should always be considered as it may affect re-sale of the home later. Your Realtor can provide you with links to the school districts so that the research can be done on the district.

Is there a specific lifestyle you may want to consider? For example in Newport Shores in Newport Beach, these homes are walking distance to the beach, and many enjoy the beach lifestyle including surfing, and out door activities.

Other considerations, do you need a dock or slip? The Newport Beach area is home to Newport Harbor, which is beautiful, and many reside in this area to take advantage of the harbor lifestyle

Do you want to have a viewLos Angeles homes have different types of views including canyon views, city lights, mountain, ocean, white water.

And of course consider the basics, number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Is your family growing? Do you need an office?Do you want to have a pet? If it is a condo community, you may want to check with the CC&R’s to make sure that pets are allowed. Also, consider if you do have a dog, that you have sufficient space to provide for it.

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com.

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