Insights
5 Things to Look Out for When Buying a Home
Dreaming of buying a house? There are a few things home buyers should consider when evaluating a house.
1. Price
Consider your price range. Lay out how much money you have to spend on a down payment, monthly mortgage payments, household expenses, and recurring payments. This will give you a better idea of which “new home must-haves” are doable for your budget. We also suggest leaving extra room in your budget for one-time expenses, like moving and closing costs.
2. Neighborhood
When it comes to buying a house, location is everything. The state, city, and type of neighborhood you want to live in can be just as important as the home itself. How close do you want to be to restaurants, grocery stores, or gyms? How quiet would you like your neighborhood to be? How long of a commute are you willing to commit to? It’s important to think through all of these questions and more when evaluating a house.
3. School Districts
Consider school districts when looking for a new home, even if you don’t have children. Why do we recommend this? A good school district is likely to increase a home’s value and ensure you have multiple potential buyers when you’re ready to sell. We recommend researching local schools when evaluating a new house.
Here are a few online resources you can use to research local schools and their ratings:
• Niche: Find the best public schools, private schools, and school districts in your area, all for free.
• GreatSchools.org: Find demographics, test scores, and ratings for private, public, and charter schools near you.
• SchoolDigger: Find rankings for schools based on test scores.
• National Center for Education Statistics: Find statistics about your local schools.
• U.S. Department of Education: Find the grades local schools were assigned by their districts.
4. Floor Plan
While open floor plans are often desired, they may not be the best layout for you and your family. That’s why we encourage you to consider the ways in which you intend to use your home. Do you want large entertainment areas or a quiet living room? Will you want an office space? How often will you use your kitchen? These are all important questions to ask yourself.
It’s also worth considering the locations of the bedrooms and bathrooms. For example, someone older might require a bedroom on the first floor. And if you have two floors, a bathroom on each would be ideal.
5. Style & Design
There’s an age-old debate between old and new homes, but it’s really up to you, your design preferences, and your budget! While new homes can be more energy-efficient, older homes often come with more charm and character. Whether you’re drawn to old craftsman homes or mid-century modern, it’s a good idea to keep an open mind while looking—especially if inventory is limited.
About By Design Properties
Once you find the right property for you and your family, we can help you both sell your current house and turn your new house into a home. Serving the Greater Grand Rapids area, By Design Properties specializes in interior design and boutique real estate development. Our mission is to elevate living experiences that evoke emotional responses, inspiring individuals to embark on a transformative journey through design.
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