Create Your Home Buying Checklist to Help You Find the Perfect Home

You’ve taken steps to save money for a down payment, found the right North Carolina real estate agent, chosen a lender and gotten a mortgage pre-approval. Now it’s time to start your search for North Carolina homes for sale in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham. Use the following tips to create a home buying checklist to help you find the perfect home.

A home buying checklist will help you improve your search and find the perfect home to buy for you and your family. The following list for buyers is a good place to start, but it is not the be-all and end-all of checklists for home buyers. Use the following information as a foundation for building a personalized home buying checklist.

We’ll start with location and then move on to the house itself. So, if you are ready, let’s get started creating a home buying checklist to help you find the perfect home to buy in North Carolina.

Good School Districts

Parents of younger children often put quality school districts at the top of their real estate checklist. However, if you are single or married and don’t have plans to have children, buying a home in a good school district is still a smart move and a sound investment. Owning a home in an area surrounded by high-quality schools can help preserve home values and ensure higher resale rates.

Neighborhoods

The community where you are buying a home is important for many reasons. Of course, there is the resale value to consider. Buyers should also get a feel for their comfort level in the neighborhood where they are considering buying a house.

Decide what is important to you in a neighborhood. Do you want a walkable neighborhood with local parks? A business district with stores? Easy access to restaurants and grocery stores? Are the houses and yards well-maintained? Do homeowners or mostly renters occupy the area? Ask your real estate agent for details about the neighborhood and spend some time getting to know the area before you buy.

Transportation and Commutes

What will your morning commute to work be like each day? Are there public transportation options close to the house? Outside of work, how close is the home to your family, friends, church, school and other locations you visit on a regular basis? These are things to consider and weigh when looking at comparable homes in different areas that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Size of the Home

How much space do you actually need in your new home? It’s a simple question, but not an easy question to answer. Don’t solely focus on the amount of livable square footage a home offers. Be sure to also take a good look at the outdoor space each home offers. And remember, life is full of the unexpected, so give yourself room to grow in your new home.

Age and Condition of the Home

Are you someone who loves DIY projects or do you want a home that is move-in ready from day one? Are you willing to pay less for an older home that will need remodeling and repairs, or do you want to spend more to buy new construction with warranties on systems and workmanship? Knowing the answers to these questions can considerably narrow down your home search.

Property Types

What type of property would you like to buy? Are you set on purchasing a single-family detached home, or would you consider a smaller townhome? Maybe you have no desire to maintain a yard and would enjoy the additional amenities that come with owning a condominium. If you are open to different property types, then begin by ranking each type of property in order of desirability as you create your home buying checklist.

Home Features

When creating your checklist, don’t just write down features like number of bedrooms and bathrooms, closet space, spacious and updated kitchen, two car garage, etc. Give the features you want in the next home you buy a lot of thought and rank features in order of importance while also noting which features are must-haves. This step is important because it is unlikely that you will find a home that matches every one of your needs and wants.

HOA: Yes or No

The last item you should consider when creating your home buying checklist is whether you want to live in a neighborhood or community with a homeowner’s association (HOA). Some buyers do not like the restrictions an HOA places on them while others do not mind adhering to the rules. If you are looking at homes with an HOA, remember to factor the additional HOA fees into your budget.

Use the above information along with any other personal preferences to customize and create your home buying checklist. Clearly defining your priorities will help you find and buy the perfect home.

Ready to start your search for homes in North Carolina cities like Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham? Red Door Company is here to help! When you work with our team, you’ll be able to take advantage of innovative real estate technology and unmatched expertise that has been delivering successful results to home buyers for the past decade. Contact us today and let us help you find the perfect home at the perfect price.