7 tips to help you on your house hunting journey

1. Know your budget 

Before you start your journey in home buying, you’ll want to first consider your budget. It’s important that you learn how much you can comfortably afford on a home.

Some helpful things to take into account when calculating your costs and budget are: down payments, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, homeowners association dues, closing costs, and other additional expenses associated with purchasing a home or upkeep maintenance. 

2. Prioritize your wants and needs

Making a prioritized list of your wants and needs before viewing potential homes, can prove to be extremely helpful in your  home buying journey. It allows you to figure out your non-negotiables and things you feel can live with or without. 

3. Think about proximity 

One of the best places to start when trying to find your perfect home is thinking about your proximity to work, school, favorite locations to shop or visit. This ensures your new home is in a convenient area for you. 

4. Choose a neighborhood or property 

Review and assess amenities and characteristics you’d like your new community or property to have. Once you’ve narrowed down your ideal proximity, gather helpful statistical information about the neighborhood or geographical location to evaluate crime stats, school ratings, accessibility to shops and more. 

5. Look for hidden problems 

Pay attention to potentially hidden problems both internally and externally. Check all areas of the home as thoroughly as possible and bring your camera to take lots of pictures. Remember to follow your gut if something seems oddly placed or off putting about the home. 

6. Bring a friend 

Having a friend or family member tag along can help you see things from a different perspective. They can offer a second opinion and a second set of eyes.

7. Take lots of photos 

Bring a camera or smartphone to take lots of photos of the interior and exterior. If there are any problems or special features you’d like to remember, this makes it a lot easier to document and compare.