Decide What You Want In A Home

Now that you've used some of our home buying tips to calculate how much you can reasonably spend on a home loan payment each month, the amount of a down payment you can raise, and the overall home purchase price you can afford, consider what sort of house you would like to own. When purchasing a home, think about your family's priorities and use them as a starting block to determine your space and location requirements, as well as the type of features that you would like your home to have.

Location, Location, Location

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a home is its location. What area would you like to live in? What sort of neighborhood appeals to you and your family? Perhaps you want to be close to schools, work or recreational facilities. Also note the availability of doctors, hospitals, places of worship and public transport routes.

Home Size Counts!

Size does matter when you're purchasing a home – especially if your family is still growing. Your space needs are another vital factor to consider. Does the house have enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Make sure that it will match your current and future space needs. Your family's requirements are bound to change over time, so choose a home that you will not outgrow too quickly. This is very important – especially if you're planning to start a family.

New or Used Home?

Do you prefer to purchase a sparkling new home or one that's already been landscaped and tastefully decorated by the previous owner? Older homes are often characterized by their warmth and charm, but are often in need of some repairs. Newer homes usually boast the latest designs and most modern features, but might require investment in such basic things as a front lawn. Newly-built homes will generally need fewer tweaks than older homes, but home improvements can dramatically increase the value of a property.

Make Features Lists

You'd be surprised how overloaded your memory becomes when you purchase a home, and have to compare the three homes you saw last weekend to the four you visited a month ago. So be sure to note the positive and negative features of the homes that you view, and keep a written list. This will streamline the process of finding a home by helping you to pinpoint exactly what you are looking to buy. You should also have an idea of what extras you want – such as a garden, swimming pool or a 2-car garage - and decide which are essential and which are not. Once you know what you are looking for, you won't waste time viewing houses that do not meet your needs.

Have you found the home you want? If so, be sure to check out our home buying tips on how to make an offer and how to close the deal.

Getting pre-approved for a home loan can make shopping for a home so much easier—and give you an edge when you negotiate, too. At Countrywide’s Full Spectrum Lending, we can help you find the loan that's right for you, even if your credit isn't perfect. Give us a call now to learn more, the call is toll-free at 1-800-909-8217 and there's no obligation!