Buying a home is likely the largest purchase that an individual will make in their lifetime. It stands to reason that it should also be the most carefully planned and detailed purchase as well. Rushing into a home purchase can lead to bad decisions and ending up with a home that does not suit your long term needs. In your planning for a new home purchase here are some good things to remember that will make the process of finding that perfect home easier.

Sit down and plan your ideal home. Make yourself a list of the things that are totally essential. These will be the basic guidelines that you utilize in the shopping phase of the process. In this stage do not be afraid to be concrete on what it is that you need in a home. For instance, if you have 3 kids, there is no point in getting a home with only 3 bedrooms. If you have pets, then a fenced yard is a must. Knowing these requirements ahead of time will only take stress away during the buying process. After this list is complete, make another of the things that would be nice to have, but aren't absolutely essential. Things like a level entry, or finished basement, or workshop are good examples of preferences.

Now it is time to consider the neighborhood into which you will be moving. After finding some homes that suit your needs, do some research about the neighborhoods where the homes are located.  Find out about local crime rates, are they on the rise? How close are the schools, and what kind of commute to work are you going to have to deal with? Determining if there are traffic issues between the home and your work can be a big deciding factor in the purchase of a home. Also take into account the health of the neighborhood. Is it a newer area that is under construction, or is the area is older and in decline. When making such an investment, you should definitely consider these factors.

With this research in hand it is now time to make your decision. Be prepared that you may not get the first home that you want. The real estate market is highly competitive and homes can disappear from the market in a very short time. Be sure that you are working with a Realtor who is on the ball, and responds to your calls and reacts quickly to any factors regarding your home purchase. Now you are better prepared to make that offer on your dream home!

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