What to Look for in a New Home
Buying a new home is a process that should begin with research. Whether new home buyers begin by consulting with a licensed real estate person or prefer to start out by perusing online real estate sites, a wish list should ideally be constructed as a guide. Once the potential buyer has an idea of what to look for in a new home, they will be able to focus on homes that offer those items on their list. A study done in 2015 showed that of people wanting to purchase a home, 30% cited their main reason as being able to own their own home.
Most perspective buyers will let their realtor do the legwork in order to find new homes for sale that fit their specific criteria. Once an individual or family has decided what to look for in a new home, they can relay this information to the real estate agent who will then keep those specifics on the top of the list during their search.
People’s preferences regarding what to look for in a new home vary greatly. From the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, to the style of the home, to the size of the yard, to the neighborhood, and more, everybody’s needs are distinctive and specific. Some buyers are focused on the layout of the house and may prefer either one story or two. Others are more concerned with the size of the yard. Statistics show that 83% of people in the United States feel that having a yard is important. Of people who have yards, 90% believe that regular maintenance is essential. Some people want to live in the heart of the city, where all the action is, and others want the peace and quiet of a suburban neighborhood. For a family with children, the school district is usually right at the top of their list.
Many home buyers like the idea of living in a master planned community. Knowing what to look for in a planned community helps to guide them to the developments that would best fit their needs. Communities like these are built by a home builder with the home owner’s needs in mind. Everything residents want and need is located within the confines of the property, which is owned by the builder. There are typically model homes for perspective buyers to walk through, and there may be several models. On the property there will be at least one pool for the use of the residents and their guests, a tennis court, and a clubhouse. The clubhouse is usually available for the use of residents for parties and get togethers.
As time goes by, and technology becomes even more technological, builders of planned communities are finding that other modern conveniences and luxuries can be included in their plans. It is not uncommon nowadays to find communities in which fully-stocked lakes exist, along with boat rental on the lake. Golf courses are becoming popular within these developments, and village greens and town centers are in the works as well. These will house restaurants and shops open to residents so that they will not even have to leave the property for a night out!
Self-sustaining communities could be another option for home buyers. A self-sustaining community is a development whose homes are considered “off the grid”. They derive their electricity from wind turbines, solar panels, and generators. Some homes have their water delivered by an outside service, while others have their own wells. Many homes that are self-sustaining to this degree are, thus far, just for vacation.
Throughout the United States there are several self-sustaining communities. Some use geothermal wells for heat and hydropower for electricity. Some of these are home to a few people year round, but also lean more toward commune life.
The number of choices available to home buyers is enormous, and it is recommended that people take their time when considering their new living space. There is much to consider when deciding what to look for in a new home. Buying a home is the biggest investment an individual or family will make. Fortunately, there are many places to go for help with all the steps that lead to the end of that rainbow!
