Essentials for First Home

The Essentials for a Fantastic First Home

This post was kindly written for us by our friends at Bellhops Moving

Purchasing your first home can be an exciting and life-changing experience. The move from renter to homeowner is a big one, and it requires a lot of careful planning to ensure that you pick the best possible real-estate the first time around.

Today, starter homes can stay in your life for much longer than you might expect. In fact, you could find yourself spending decades within your first home, particularly when you consider how difficult it can be to find the perfect house. That's why it's so crucial to make sure that you're prepared to hit the market. Here are a few essentials to look for when choosing your first home.

1.     An Affordable Price

While it's tempting to buy the most expensive house you can afford and live on coupons for the rest of your life, the truth is that it's much better to make sure that you're buying something within your budget. A lot of people try to push for the maximum dollar amount they're allowed, but this just means that they're living well beyond their means. Don't overextend yourself, and you'll be more likely to stay out of trouble.

2.     A Home for the Future

Though you might start off looking at your first property as a "starter home" the truth is that you'll probably be there for longer than you'd think. It's a good idea to buy a home that accommodates more than just what you need "right now". Think about how your family might grow in the next ten years and consider whether you're going to need more than just a 2-bedroom apartment

3.     A Good Location

Location really does matter when it comes to choosing the perfect piece of first-time real-estate. Even if the housing market continues to ripple up and down, if you've picked a neighborhood that's attractive, stable and surrounded by great amenities then you'll find it much easier to sell if you ever choose to move on. Just remember, if you're moving to a new city, you might need to do some extra research before you know which area you should be buying in.

4.     A Good History of Maintenance

Whether or not the home you buy has been properly maintained by its previous owner can have a huge impact on the housing costs you experience in the future. Make sure you keep an eye out for any signs that your home hasn't received the care it needs, such as dirty air ducts, or a crumbling roof. The more signs of wear and tear you notice, the more likely it is that you're going to have to pay for professional repairs some time in the not-so-distant future, so keep that in mind when considering your budget.

5.     Recent Updates

Finally, first-time buyers who are struggling to achieve the perfect budget might struggle to get a home that's finished with all the things they want by the time they go to market. If you need to choose from a selection of upgraded features, make sure that you choose energy-efficient windows, a new roof, and a new water heater over other extras like a new splash of paint.