How to Find Your Dream Home

Your dream home can be a great investment if you are planning to settle there for some time. Before you start searching for listings and contacting your agent, save yourself some time by identifying your priorities and knowing what you want in your home.

We always hear about how location and only location should be all that matters when it comes to real estate. The truth is, it’s also the environment around the location that makes a house a home.

While every buyer has different desires, here are a few points to consider and to discuss with your real estate agent.

Understand your financial affordability

While there may be many influences saying that you should splurge a little more just to get a home that you want, most of the time it does not work that way. First of all, know what your price range is once you are pre-approved for a mortgage.

Understand that location is one factor that will greatly influence the price of a property — and you don’t want to shop at places you can’t afford. Your real estate agent should help you to narrow down the locations that are within the range of your affordability.

You should also consider whether you are willing to take on extra renovation for your dream home.

Know what you need, and what you can’t live without

It’s time to make a list of what you need to be happy with your new home. Although there is the financial card to play, that doesn’t mean you can’t build yourself a little heaven. Keep in mind the difference between what you want and what you truly need to live.

This is a personal preference, but be true to yourself, because you will be living there for quite some time. If you have pets, you should consider a fenced yard.

If you care a great deal about protecting your car from unpredictable weather, a shed or garage is a must-have. And if you want to have kids, buy the right house for the anticipated size of your family.

Explore different neighbourhoods

Determine what works for you, whether you like an urban development area, or prefer a quieter suburban or rural area with some distance from the commercial and entertainment areas.

Visit the locations you’re considering at different times of the day to get a sense of traffic, noise and the overall vibe. Explore the local atmosphere: whether there is easy access to highways, whether you like the view and whether you are happy with the amenities.

It’s also a great idea to walk around and down the block to get a rough idea of what your neighbours are like. And if you are getting a positive vibe and feel comfortable with the location, you’ll be ready to secure your dream home!

Home structure

An ideal home structure can serve you and your family well for years to come. You should take time to decide whether you are looking for a single- or double-storey home, a townhouse or a condo.

Then take into consideration which architectural styles you like best, how many bedrooms and bathrooms, whether your flooring will be hardwood or carpeted and so on.

Always keep in mind what spaces you need to allocate to your home and what each is for, and you will be able to optimise the best layout for your dream home.