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Some important things about buying a home.

1. SIZE OF HOME

When you are looking to buy a house, besides getting a look at your current credit report history, you need to get a good idea of what you are looking for. Do you want 3 bedrooms, at least one and a half baths, and a garage?

Perhaps you are already in a home that is just too big now that all the children are grown and gone. You may want to buy a smaller home with perhaps 2 bedrooms and no basement for less to maintain.

2. LOCATION

Where do you want to live?
In the city close to work, or in the suburbs, not so close. Maybe you want to live in the country more than an hour from work so that by the time you get home, you've talked yourself through all the frustrations of the day?

When you are thinking about the location, think about closeness to shops, schools, hospitals, airports, you know...things that are important. Where the closest pizza parlor is, is a biggie for me!


2. STYLE OF HOME 

What about the type of house? There are so many types and I urge people to go to "Open Houses" as early as a year before they think they may be buying a home. Start grabbing those Homes magazines at the grocery store - I still take them now and then, and my husband gives me a "Why are you picking that up?" look. I guess I have a habit of seeing what's out there.

By doing this, you can decide if you like one style of home versus another. Think about your needs and what home is the best for you? Some people like ranch homes so they don't have to climb stairs all the time. Some prefer a home that is attached to others on both sides so there are neighbors nearby.

Buying a condo means paying a homeowners association fee in exchange for not having to maintain any of the grounds, parking lot, or any amenities the project may have. 

There are also the PUDs or Planned Unit Developments that often are single family home communities but may have some amenities such as playgrounds and/or pool for the community member's use who pay a homeowners association fee. You usually have to maintain your own property grounds including shoveling in the winter though.

Maybe you have an elderly parent and would like to buy a 2 unit dwelling, or a home with an in-law suite. Maybe you want to be a homeowner and landlord at the same time and buy a 2-4 unit property and rent the other units out (keeping the biggest one for you of course).

3. MUST HAVES

Other things to consider are whether you want a big or small yard, sidewalk, garage, basement, or even some extra amenities like an in ground pool. Just remember the more extras and bigger yard, the more maintenance and expense.

Perhaps you want a laundry room on the second floor as opposed to the basement, or a bathroom adjoining the master bedroom for privacy and convenience. The master bathroom feature can be really nice and once you've had one it is hard to go back to using the family bathroom in the hallway.

4. NEW OR USED?

Do you want to build a home? If you do, be prepared for some of the biggest challenges (and fights) with all the choices and decisions you have to face! Also be prepared to tack on at least 10% to the base sales price you started with for the extras and upgrades that you will undoubtedly want.

There are many nice older homes as well that can be from 20 to 100 years old that were quality built and may even have been updated in certain areas.

Maybe you want a fixer upper instead, which could be an even bigger challenge...beware the 'needs TLC' (tender loving care) in the home descriptions. This undoubtedly means doing some costly repairs or replacements in order to make the home decent.

This should give you a good idea about some important tips about home buying that don't involve involving the mortgage aspect.

This way, when you are ready to seriously put a bid in for a home, you are better prepared. If you just can't afford to get the home that you'd really like, you can always buy a smaller starter home and work your way up. There is always the option to wait too, as long as you have the capacity to save money in your current situation. I know some who wait until the car loan is paid off and visa bills are down to a manageable level. Then there is more money freed up to get the home they want. There I go...talking about the financial end of things again.