Whether you are buying for the first-time, relocating, downsizing, upgrading, or anything in between, there are certain things to keep an eye out for as you shop the market. Some of these come down to preference but others can serve as indicators for the quality and state of the home.
Checklist for Home Buyers
Once you’ve secured your VA home loan approval, having a mindful awareness of these checklist items can help you narrow down your selection in the home buying process.
Decide On Dealbreakers
Before looking at a single home, you should think about what you are and are not willing to live with. Developing a clear list of deal breakers through brainstorming will be a huge asset once you begin touring properties. It will also be important to rank these because, more than likely, you will have to compromise some desires for other needs. Your perfect home is out there. It just might need a little negotiation and/or adaptation.
Location & Property
We can’t say it enough: location, location, location. The location of any new home is very important for home buyers to consider. Thinking over which areas and neighborhoods will suit your family, lifestyle, commute, and goals best can narrow down the house hunt, making the most of your time.
It is also important for home buyers to think about what the expectation for the property is going to be. Things like yard space, gardens, driveway, landscape, and other surrounding elements are crucial to finding you the right home.
Floorplan
Floorplans are the foundation of the home. They will dictate what your morning routine looks like, where you’ll spend the majority of your time in the home, and ultimately how satisfied you are with your investment. Because of this, fluidity matters. Thinking through the utility of the space as it stands as well as any changes you might make to the floorplan can make the decision of whether to buy or pass for you.
Nuts and Bolts
Nothing is worse than taking a huge step toward purchasing a house, getting the appraisal completed, and finding out that the functional infrastructure of the home just is not up to par. Before you fall in love with a home, you can maximize your time by asking questions about things like plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation, and even insulation. Be mindful of weird noises, sounds, or smells as your tour the property and always ask questions.
Lighting
Beyond the nitty gritty, there is also comfort to consider. Depending on when you visit the property, the sun may or may not be doing the property favors. That being said, lighting has a lot to do with how we function in our homes. So, make sure that your home has both the lighting fixtures you want and the natural lighting you need.
Finishings
Finishing touches on a home don’t need to be an afterthought. Rather than taking a home ‘as is’, you should take into account what detail work is not meeting your expectations. If this list is overwhelming, it may not be worth the extra work on your part. Keep in mind that some sellers may fix these on top of any bigger repairs decided on after the home inspection. Finishing details to keep in mind might be:
- Molding
- Backsplash
- Hardware
- Tilework
- Fireplaces
Need For Renovation
If there is a need for renovation, tally up costs you anticipate and be conscious of the additional investment you may need to make. Often times, there are home loans that integrate renovation costs into the loaning structure. Especially for veterans, there are specific VA home loans are geared toward putting quality of life at the forefront with renovation incorporations available within the terms of the loan.
