Buying a Home: Tips for Families
Posted by JD Esajian // May 4, 2011
Families who are buying a home are faced with many challenges. From determining which school districts are best to figuring out if that huge set of stairs out front is just asking for trouble, families have a lot of things to consider when buying a home. Whether you’re buying your first home or you’ve owned one before, consider these tips for families next time you’re buying a home:
- Figure out what you want. Before you start hunting for your dream home, decide on which features you absolutely have to have and which ones would be nice (but aren’t absolutely required). This will help you later on, when you’re attending open house after open house. If you want, you can even use this list as a checklist, making your decision even easier.
- Which neighborhood? Another important thing to considering before buying a home is which neighborhood you want to live in. Many people look at school districts and crime rates, but you’ll also want to consider commute times and the age of the homes in the area, among other things. Narrowing your search to one or a few neighborhoods can save you time – and keep you from buying a home in a less-desirable neighborhood.
- Go to the open house. An open house is your best bet to figure out if a particular home is for you. Bring your list of wants and needs to the open house and make sure it fits your criteria. Also keep an eye out for potential dangers or problems – a two-story home with all the bedrooms upstairs may not be ideal for a family with a baby or young child.
- Keep your credit in check. Once you’ve put in an offer and had it accepted, it can be tempting to go out and buy new appliances or furniture for your house. However, if you put any of these purchases on a credit card, it can cause you to be disqualified for your loan. Protect your credit and don’t make any major additions before closing.
For many families, buying a home is a fun process – challenging, but fun nonetheless. When you’re looking at homes, make sure you keep these tips in mind to make sure you get a home that’s right for your family.