Buying a new home is a stressful but necessary step many are facing right now. Although this is the most expensive purchase many will ever make, some still forget to invest in a property that can make them happy and instead grab the first property they can.
It's time to take it a little slower and look at the property carefully as you explore it. If you find a home you like, ensure it has each of the following and anything else that speaks to you.
1. A Gorgeous Eye-Catching Exterior
The exterior of your home is what many people will be basing their opinion of you on long before they meet you. Not only does it show your personal taste, but it also shows off how well you want to care for your property and what you think of your neighborhood.
Look for something stylistically gorgeous, like a white house with black trim, that also has other features you like: or the room to build them on. If you’re worried about taking on too much lawn maintenance, keep that in mind while house shopping as well. In an area that’s drought-prone, seek out a lawn that can look fantastic regardless of the weather.
2. Floors that are Built to Last
How well-built are the floors? How long will they last? Although wood flooring is attractive, vinyl kitchen flooring lasts longer and can handle everything from spills to walking with sharp heels, things that natural hardwood can't.
Pay attention to which rooms have which types of flooring and how long they'll last. Try to keep carpet to areas where people won’t be walking with their shoes on. This means bedrooms, some living rooms, and areas where your high-quality carpet will be able to keep its fresh and luxurious texture.
3. A Location That Inspires You
The property you look at should be in a space that inspires you. What activities are available in the area surrounding it? Are there any shops or restaurants that you're interested in here? Although you can always add perks to the interior of your home, the physical location it's in is impossible to change.
Before you go out to an area, look it up on Google Maps and explore the neighborhood and surrounding community. This gives you the opportunity to look for shared community spaces like parks, and also check for things like sidewalks, how close businesses are, and seek out other perks like golf clubs that interest you.
4. Perks That Add Luxury Throughout
Luxury is something we should all enjoy in our daily lives. Not only does it make life easier to live, but it can help us look forward to tasks that would otherwise be mundane. This idea can range from a heated shower floor that’s become expected in many homes, to completed kitchens with warming drawers and an open glass wine cellar.
Luxury means something different to every single person, so consider what parts of your life could be made more luxurious and should be updated to allow you to make the most out of them. If you want a rain-shower, look at the size of the shower in your bathroom, and consider if it has the room to make that work, or if you’d have to build it out further.
5. An Updated Heating and Cooling System
Weather is becoming more unpredictable in recent years, from droughts and fires to flooding, so it's important that we do everything we can to ensure our homes are built for whatever temperatures can be thrown at us.
Everything from a thermostat for in-floor heating to a smart thermostat to handle your home's HVAC system should be considered. A smart thermostat is an awesome thing to find in any home because it means that you can change your property's temperature at any time, regardless of whether you’re home or off on vacation.
6. Room to Grow Into
How much room does the property have? Could it handle a room being set aside as an office or guest room? If you decided to have another child, would there be room for that? Could you handle living there in twenty years after you've collected more things from traveling or living in the area for so long?
Although you shouldn’t prepare for clutter, since that’s something we should all maintain in our daily lives, you should purchase a space that gives you room to grow and change over time. If a home doesn’t have that, it might not be the best choice for you. Although property costs are expensive: you’re worth investing in.
Every Property Has Its Perks
Whether you're buying your first home or you're making an investment in a property you want to retire in, it's important to consider what matters most to you. Find a home that fulfills your wishes in an area you'll love, and you'll feel a thrill every time you get to come home.
Ryan Shure is an editor for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.