The elation of finding that perfect gem of a home in the right neighborhood is a great feeling. Getting to that feeling can be an emotional process! Not to mention the financial commitment of sealing the deal and making the payments for a few decades. So how will you know when the stars have aligned, and you’ve found the right house for you? Here are some signs to watch for that will tell you it’s ‘The One’: No, really, this is actually a very powerful sign! Sometimes our intuition knows things our logical brain takes longer to articulate. If a house feels cheery and inviting, there are features about the home that is important. Perhaps it has good lighting and lots of windows or the design concept creates a feeling that relaxes you. If the house doesn’t feel stuffy, you know that the ventilation system is probably in good working order. In a similar way that sometimes a house just feels wrong, a house can absolutely also just feel right! Trust those instincts. After all, when you return home after a hard day at work, don’t you want to feel cheered, relaxed, or whatever great emotion you initially felt? Bonus tip: Work through the feelings to get to the logic. Why did it feel right? If there was an instant curbside appeal, work to identify the components of that appeal. Was it the right landscaping? Great maintenance? Feelings have a basis in fact, so find out what that allure tracks back to for a better understanding of the aspects you desire in a home. Finding a good fit is as important to your home as it is to anything in life. Fit can be defined in a variety of ways. A good fit definitely has to do with size, so perhaps it’s right-sized for your life, has the right amount of storage, is all on one level, or meets other space requirements you have deemed important. There may be other key features of the home, such as accessibility to certain rooms of the house, that are also important fits. Consider the life you actually lead, not the dream life many of us live in our minds. If you don’t actually like to entertain, do not be swayed by an expansive kitchen you will never fully use. If you hate to garden, it may not matter how large the backyard is. The property must be a fit for the lifestyle you regularly lead and enjoy. Fit can also mean access to important quality of life activities, such as parks, restaurants, and cultural events. The area should also be part of your equation when you tour this home. Drive around the neighborhood after you’ve been inside the home and see what it is really all about. Perhaps this location cuts your commute time, but at the very least it shouldn’t increase the time it takes you to get to work or to school. The home should be convenient to and accommodate your current lifestyle, and it should be immediately obvious how the home and the neighborhood do accommodate or even improve your lifestyle. One of the most important steps to take before house hunting is to hammer out the list of requirements you must have in your new home. If you are living in this home with others, now is the time to get on the same page regarding this list. A house that meets all the “wants” but doesn’t actually meet any of the “needs” will not be a good long-term home, no matter how pretty the paint job. A home will never grow an additional bedroom, for example, no matter how beautiful it is! One must-have on everyone’s list should be that the house fits into the budget. It is a real heartbreak to find the perfect home only to realize you cannot possibly afford it. This also means you haven’t utterly wiped out your savings just to afford it! It is an unwritten law of buying a home that you will end up having to pay for something in your first year of ownership, so you don’t want to find yourself strapped for cash. Finding ‘The One’ means the house will meet all your identified needs. Note: You might find yourself wanting to be flexible about this list because you are so attracted to a particular home. There is nothing wrong with this feeling but be sure to have a clear-headed look at what you would be giving up from your “must-haves” to make this home your own. We often find that our priorities change as we get into the actual process of touring homes. It’s good to let go of a “priority” that no longer suits us, as long as we’re not rationalizing a poor investment! Buying a home is a long-term relationship, after all. You wouldn’t want to ignore the advice of your close friends, loved ones, or real estate experts and make a big mistake, right? Similarly, just because the house looks great doesn’t mean that you should go forward if the home inspector returns with bad news about the wiring or the way the ground has been graded. That doesn’t mean the problems are insurmountable. But it is important to go into this financial transaction with open eyes. If this house meets your standards and that of other professionals, feels like home when you pull up to the curb and fits within your budget, congratulations. You’ve found ‘The One.’ Now, go live happily ever after!1. It Feels Right
2. It Fits Your Current Lifestyle
3. It Matches with Your "Must-Haves" List
4. It Meets Home Inspection Standards & Realtor Advice
FAQs
How do you know a house is right for you? ›
Narrow down your search by location, wants and needs, house types and affordability. Make sure also to get a home inspection and consider any other essential factors. Most importantly, work with a real estate agent who understands what you want – and always follow your gut.
How do I find the perfect house for me? ›- Tip 1: What Does Your Perfect Home Look Like? ...
- Tip 2: Determine Your Housing Budget. ...
- Tip 3: Will You Need a Mortgage? ...
- Tip 4: Consider The Location of Your New Home. ...
- Tip 5: Do Your Research. ...
- Tip 6: Talk To a Real Estate Agent. ...
- Tip 7: Be Flexible. ...
- Tip 8: Proceeding to The Buying Process.
- You Envision Your Family In This Home. When touring a home, a telltale sign of realizing it's “the one” is when you begin to envision yourself and your family living there. ...
- You Lose Interest In Other Homes. ...
- Its Quirks Don't Bother You. ...
- You Compare Every Other Home Against It. ...
- You Don't Want To Leave.
Determine your budget and calculate how much you can afford to spend on a house. Research and explore different mortgage lenders as well as financing options, such as conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Get pre-approved for a mortgage to strengthen your offer and streamline the buying process.
How do you know if your house is good? ›- Sign 1: It Feels Like Home. ...
- Sign 2: It Meets Your Basic Requirements. ...
- Sign 3: You Can Envision Your Future There. ...
- Sign 4: It is in a Great Location. ...
- Sign 5: The Price Is Right.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools. One of the easiest ways to estimate the value of your home is by using an online home valuation tool. ...
- Hire A Professional Appraiser. ...
- Consult A REALTOR. ...
- Pull 'Comps' On Similar Properties.
The first house is often called the house of self. It is ruled by Aries and the planet Mars, and the placements in this house can give you a window into understanding more about your outward appearance, traits, characteristics, outlook, and sense of expression.
How do I know if I love a house? ›- There is an Instant Attraction. ...
- It Complements Your Budget. ...
- The House is in a Good Location. ...
- It is Similar to Previous Favorites. ...
- Imagine Yourself Living There. ...
- You Have Found Everything You Need.
It's usually something obvious about the house or they'd be more specific. If you are facing your house or standing infront of the facade, then it is in your right side BUT when you are inside of your house and facing or standing in the direction across the street, then it is in your left side. =)
What credit score is needed to buy a house? ›Credit score and mortgages
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
How much should you put down on a house? ›
If you can easily afford it, you should probably put 20% down on a house. You'll avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, and you'll have a lower loan amount and smaller monthly payments to worry about. You could save a lot of money in the long run.
What is the first thing to do when wanting to buy a house? ›The first thing you should do when you want to buy a house is get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Mortgage pre-approval involves finding a lender, such as a bank or credit union. You'll provide them with your financial information, including your income, credit history, and debt.
How do you know if a house is worth buying? ›- Use online valuation tools.
- Use the FHFA House Price Index Calculator.
- Get a comparative market analysis.
- Hire a professional appraiser.
- Evaluate comparable properties.
To calculate how much house you can afford based on your salary, use the 25% rule—never spend more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay (after tax) on monthly mortgage payments. That includes your mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, home insurance, PMI and HOA fees.
How do you decide if you want a house? ›- Price. What can you afford to spend on a property? ...
- Location. The neighborhood, city, town or state you want to live in is almost as important as a home's amenities. ...
- Commute time. ...
- Schools. ...
- Home type. ...
- Design and upgrades. ...
- Condition. ...
- Space.
If your credit score is strong, your employment is stable and you have enough savings to cover a down payment and closing costs, buying now might still be smart. If your personal finances are not ideal at the moment, or if home values in your area are on the decline, it might be better to wait.