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Finding the Right Home
What makes a house the “right home”?
Selecting the right home is a very exciting process, but what makes a house the “perfect home?” Before you begin your search, ask yourself these questions:
Once you have the answers to these questions, you will know how to find the right home-the home that fits.
Top ^Where do I want to live?
Deciding where you want to live can be a matter of your lifestyle, so you have to decide what your priorities are.
Community conveniences
The community you choose should accommodate your lifestyle priorities.
Do you enjoy dining out, or going to the movies, shopping or nightlife? If so, then you will want to live near a variety of entertainment and shopping options where everything is just around the corner.
Perhaps you like peace and quiet and most of your activities are centered around your home. You may consider living in the suburbs, or even in a more rural setting.
How close do you need to be to your job? Is it a commute that you can tolerate?
And if you have children, how close are you to their school? What schools would they attend?
Community Amenities
To most people, amenities in the community can be considered wants, but for some they are needs. Community amenities can include things like a recreation center or clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts. Some communities are gated; others feature lakes, parks, sidewalks or hiking and biking trails. If there are certain amenities you require in a community, be sure to keep them in mind when searching for your new home.
Top ^What can I afford?
It is important to know what price range you can afford in order to realistically narrow your search. You want a home that will fit comfortably into your budget, taking into account your expenses and anything extra.
To get an estimate of what you can afford, use our Mortgage Calculator
For a more accurate estimate, get pre-approved for a loan. This will give you a more precise idea of what your monthly house payments will be. Get pre-approved online with Hammersmith Financial and get a FREE Credit Check.
Top ^What are my Needs vs. Wants?
Once you know how much you can afford, find out what you need in a home, what you want, and what you can or can’t live without. Your lifestyle will help determine what your needs and wants are. It is important that your new home have everything you need before you get everything you want.
Here are some examples to help you to define your Needs and Wants when looking for a new home.
You will need:
- A floor plan with comfortable amount of square footage and lot size
- Enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate your family
- Adequate amount of storage space
- A home with appropriate living accommodations when selecting a one- or two-story home (You may want a two-story home with the master bedroom downstairs, or you might prefer all living quarters on the same level.)
Be sure to take your future plans into account when determining your Needs and Wants. For example, if you are planning to start a family, then you will need to plan for the appropriate accommodations and space.
You may want:
- Certain types of flooring (i.e. Special carpeting, wood floors, tile etc.)
- Specific colors of paint for interior and exterior, carpet color, cabinets and counter tops
- Track-lighting, or other special light fixtures
- Certain brand or types of appliances
- Extra rooms for recreation, study, or entertaining (i.e. formal dining room, game room, guest bedroom, etc.)
Some Wants can be easily incorporated into your home later on. If your budget is an issue, make sure you get what you need, and save for what you want. Whatever your budget allows, choose your wants wisely and keep future plans in mind.
Make a list
So when it comes time to find the right home, make a list of your needs vs. wants so you can find the right home! And once you Find the Right Builder and you know what to look for when Finding the Right Home, you can start your search!
Royce Builders has something for everyone, and we build communities all over Houston and surrounding areas. We also build homes in Dallas/Ft.Worth, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
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