Shawn DeLaat
Buying a home is an exciting moment but not an easy one. The prospect of moving into a new home is a great feeling and a sense of accomplishment, especially in such a tough market.
Most people head into the real estate market with high hopes and determination to find their perfect home. After viewing a few different homes, some families quickly begin to ask themselves: How many homes is too many?
The quick answer is short: No two homebuyers have the same experience. Here is a guide to help you determine how many homes you should be viewing before making the decision to buy!
Are You a First-Time Home Buyer?
First home buyers may be overwhelmed with the process and can crowd their decision-making. They might know what they want but have difficulty translating their desires to existing homes on the market.
In the case of being a home first-time home buyer, it is advisable to set your expectations from the beginning as most likely you will be looking at many homes. This is a great way to determine what features a home needs to offer you, and what features you’re willing to take off the ‘must haves’ list.
Home searching tips for first-time home buyers: Check Different Neighborhoods
Different neighbourhoods have pros and cons. For instance, a $900,000 home in an upscale community will probably need hefty taxes, while the same type of property might be valued at only $750,000 in another area.
Some of the considerations when checking the neighbourhoods are:
Security
Is security a priority? A safe neighbourhood might make your family feel comfortable living there. This is probably an important consideration, mainly if your work entails night shifts or having to travel a lot, leaving your home unattended.
Education
Good schools are considered to be of high value by many people. They not only attract you to particular real estate regions, but they also attract good teachers who in turn influence the student’s performance. A school community with high-achieving students is attractive to top professors and lecturers.
Hospitals
If you or a family member falls ill, accessing a local hospital can be a lifesaver. A neighbourhood with accessible hospitals will be more expensive.
Public Transportation
Access to public transportation is essential if you commute to work every day. It will save you time and money, and some areas have excellent public transport, while others do not
Crime Rate
Look out for a neighbourhood with a low crime rate compared to others in the vicinity. You will feel more comfortable living there but the cost of living might be higher than in other areas.
Cultural and Recreational Activities
An area with plenty of recreational and cultural activities will be perfect for your family, and you can get involved in the community while making friends with fellow residents.
Visiting different neighbourhoods is an excellent way to know what they offer.
What Type of Home Are You Looking For?
Many people chose to buy a new home in order to find a home that is a better fit for them. In this case they will have a pretty robust list of ‘must-haves’ and understand the style of community they want to relocate to. If this sounds like you, we would recommend connecting with a local real estate sales representative that has experience in the area you’d like to move to.
Here is a list of the common types of properties:
Single Family Home
A single-family home is generally more spacious than an apartment and comes with garages, backyards, rec rooms and much more space. They can be found in neighbourhoods that can somewhat vary in quality as well.
Look at as many single-family homes as possible before making the decision to purchase.
You might even consider visiting some of the neighbourhoods you didn’t previously consider to see if they have properties similar to what you’re looking for at a lower price.
Townhouses
A townhouse is a great choice for people in many different buying stages. From first-time home buyers to downsizers, townhouses offer space inside and outside with less house maintenance responsibilities. Whether you’re new to home ownership or looking to lessen the responsibilities it’s a great idea!
Condominiums
Moving into a condominium is a very popular decision for those looking to downsize. From affordability to community, choosing to move into a condo is a great one for those looking to own their property without the hassle of maintenance.
As a bonus, most units are built on the same property and come with swimming pools, fitness centers and onsite restaurants. Condominiums usually have a master association that oversees their day-to-day activities. Such properties are best suited to those who do not mind sharing their neighbourhood and common areas with others.
Your Preferences and Taste
Your preferences and tastes will determine how many homes you’ll look at before making an offer. If you like a particular architecture, you will only look at homes with the same design. If you have specific requirements, such as a pool or playground, your search will be limited to properties that meet these criteria.
If you’re looking for a modern house, you may want to look at different homes and compare them before deciding. The more homes you look at, the higher your chances of finding something to your liking.
What is your Price Range?
The price of the home you are looking for will determine how many homes you should look at before buying one. It’s important to note that looking outside of your price range may create unrealistic expectations and create more confusion when searching for the home you want .
As you view more homes in a range that makes sense to you, you should expect your preferences and tastes to change. As you see more listings, and walk through properties the higher your chances of finding something to your liking.
If buying a home is dependent on the price, you can also look at homes outside your preferred neighbourhood to save some money. On the other hand, you might want to expand your search if you’re looking for an expensive home.
As you carry out the search questions to ask yourself are:
- Does the home meet my needs?
- What features are a priority?
- Is it affordable?
- Can I afford a mortgage of the size I require?
- Will it appreciate?
- Does the house meet my future needs?
An ideal home is in an area you like and meets your needs. Don’t settle for less, but don’t rush into buying a home either.
Make informed choices by gathering all the information about different neighbourhoods and homes on offer. It will be worth it in the end when you finally find the ideal home for your family.
Buying a Home in the Niagara Region
Buying a home in the Niagara region isn’t always easy but it can be enjoyable with the right team behind you. In the Niagara region, buying a home is manageable with the help of Davids & DeLaat.
No matter what buying stage you’re in, getting help along the way is nothing but beneficial to you!
The Niagara real estate market has changed a lot over the past few years and the Davids & DeLaat real estate sales representatives have seen the growth first hand. Our agents all live throughout the Niagara region and are well-versed in the different neighbourhoods and property types available, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.
