SPRING IS HERE! - LET’S BUY A HOME! The beginning of the new year is a great time to make goals and plan for your future. For many people, this includes thinking about where you may want to live. Perhaps you’re considering a change from renting to owning? Are you thinking of taking a new job and need a home that is closer to your new office? Does you family need more space? Before you start looking for a new home, it’s important to come up with a list of must-haves and wants. This list will help you narrow down your choices and really concentrate on what will make a house your home. Here are some sample list items you should think of. DO YOU NEED SPACE FOR HOSTING? If you enjoy hosting get-togethers with friends or hosting family holidays, you’ll have to think about spaces in your home where people can gather. This could require an open concept floor plan where the kitchen opens into the living room. This could also define a separate dining room needed for formal dinners.
DO YOU WANT A BACKYARD? Backyards are great if you want a place for dogs to run around, to host barbeques, or to have a space for the family to spend time outdoors. With a backyard comes a fair amount of yard work and maintenance. Alternately some people enjoy the low outdoor responsibilities of a townhome or a condo.
HOW MANY BEDROOMS DO YOU NEED? The number of bedrooms in a home may be incredibly important to you. You could need a bedroom space for each family member or a home office. Many people also enjoy having a guest room for friends or family members to stay when they visit. It’s important to figure out the minimum number of bedrooms you are comfortable with, as this will help you cross out many homes.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Location is always a big aspect of a home to consider. Location can affect every part of your life. It may affect the school district you’re in, your average commute to your job, and also what amenities are nearby. For some, living near nature trails is more important than living near shopping areas. For others, a short commute is more important than the school district. Lastly, location will ultimately have an affect on your home’s price and even the resale value of the property in the future, so it’s important to take a hard look at your priorities and figure out what is most important to you.
SKILLFUL SQUEEGEE Window Cleaning
Beautify your windows with personable and experienced service. windows • chandeliers • exterior lights • ceiling fans • mirrors
ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH RENOVATIONS? Many homes are listed with fully updated features and are very modern. Other homes feature old carpets and older appliances in kitchens and bathrooms. These features will definitely affect the price of your home, with upgraded homes having a higher initial cost. Buying a home that needs a few renovations, however, is a great choice for homebuyers with lower budgets that don’t mind making future updates to the home. Creating a list of needs for your home is incredibly important, and if you’re considering buying a home this year consider contacting your local real estate agent for their expert and insider view on the real estate market. An agent can help match your budget to your expectations, navigate the home buying process, and even help you sell the home you’re currently in. For more information, contact Deb on the Web at: debsellshouses.com
Serving West Cobb • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured
Matthew Mindeman • Call or text 770-427-6553
Deborah Ratchford Top Producing Agent Keller Williams Realty Cityside Mobile 678-570-4779 Office 770-874-6200 Debratchford@kw.com
