Finding your dream home is a lot like finding the perfect partner. It might take a while, but when you find the one, you know you’ll always have the support of someone who just gets you. And when you find your dream home, you’ll always have the perfect place to unwind and make memories.
Thankfully, finding the perfect home is a lot easier than finding the perfect partner throw home finder. A bit of planning and some legwork can get you into the home that fits you. No blind dates needed!
1. Find your style
While you might love craftsman homes or the sleek look of a modern kitchen in a penthouse apartment, you’ll be happiest if you consider what type of home will work best for you.
Single-family homes offer more privacy and freedom, which can be great if you have kids or pets who need a yard to run around in. But single-family homes also mean more weekends full of maintenance projects. Condos often come with condo associations that handle a lot of the outside maintenance for you, but a condo might not have the green space you need for your family, and you’ll pay monthly dues to the association.
2. Do your homework
You may know you want to live uptown, downtown or out in the country, but neighborhoods can vary greatly, even in the same area. To find your perfect fit, start by doing some research. Peruse online real estate listings to get an idea of the styles available in the area, check out a neighborhood’s walkability score and browse review sites like Yelp to see where you might get your late-night Chinese delivery fix.
Take your research offline and visit areas in person too, especially if you’re relocating. Spending a weekend driving or walking around several areas can give you a real feel for the place you might call home one day.
3. Know your finances
Before you start looking for homes, it helps to get pre-approved. It can be a daunting process for homebuyers, but it doesn’t have to be. Getting your finances in order first will make things go smoothly. Order your credit report and credit score to see where you stand (and where you can make improvements by correcting errors or paying your bills on time). Gather proof of income in the form of W2s and paystubs. Finally, tally the funds you have available for a down payment and closing costs.
4. Stay on budget
Once you get pre-approved and know what you’re likely to qualify for, it can be tempting to start looking for homes at the top of your price range, but that doesn’t always make sense. Taking on a mortgage bigger than you can comfortably afford can quickly sour the feeling of true love for your new home.
Instead, many experts recommend adopting the 28/36 rule. Under those guidelines, your monthly housing expenses should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income, while all your monthly expenses — including housing costs, car payments or student loans — should not exceed 36 percent of your gross monthly income. Sticking to these guidelines can help make sure you can comfortably afford your home.
5. Plan for the future
When you’re ready to look for homes, consider what works best for you now — and what will work best for you in the future. Ideally, you should plan on staying in your new home for the next five to seven years (or longer). Doing so can help you pay down the mortgage and build equity.