If you’re at the stage of your life where you’re searching for your dream home, then it makes sense to be excited. This is a big step in your life, and you want to find the new home of your dreams. While this time is definitely thrilling, it also has its challenges too.
Searching for your perfect home takes time, patience, and financial security. Then, even after purchasing you have to maintain your home to keep it in great condition. With all of this in mind, it’s worthwhile to keep these tips in mind that will help you both find and manage the home of your dreams.
Figure out what you can afford
Realistically, before buying a home there are various measures you should take. One of the first steps in your home-owning journey should be understanding what you can afford based on your income, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio. Generally speaking, you’ll have to put a down payment on your home loan once approved by a lender. Since this downpayment will likely be a large lump sum, it’s a good idea to keep your financial security in mind. By considering what you can afford for mortgage payments, you’re starting your new home search out realistically.
As a rule of thumb, financial advisors suggest that various housing-related monthly payments shouldn’t exceed 30% of your household gross monthly income. As a buyer, keep this 30% in mind so you can look at homes within your price range. By staying within your budget, you’re setting yourself up for financial success so you can continue making payments on your home with ease and clarity.
Begin the search for your dream home
Once you’ve settled what your ideal budget is for your home, you can start the process of looking! While this step might seem the most exciting, you should know that house hunting has its pros and cons. Everyone wants guidance on finding a dream home, and while this is totally plausible, you have to remember that it takes patience to find a home that fully suits your needs and desires.
As a tip, remember that you’ll have to be very transparent as the home buyer with your real estate agent about what you want and don’t want. This way, they’ll be able to narrow down open houses with homes that work for you and fit into your budget and ones that don’t. Plus, recognize that not every single box on your checklist may get checked. Sometimes, it comes down to finding something that fits your dream home ideas but might need a little TLC through renovations before it’s perfect.
Determine your style so you can decorate
Once the buying process including approval, home inspection, and closing costs are over with you finally get to move into your home. However, you’ll notice fairly quickly that just because it’s your dream home, you still need to fill your space with items and decor that make it feel like home. You’ll design a comfortable space in your home, and while this seems simple, there are so many different ways to promote this sense of home within your new space.
First off, choose the room you want to tackle decorating. The living space is one great place to start because it’s a room people use often. To make your living room warm and homey consider adding personal touches like photographs, a large comfy couch, cozy pillows and blankets, and indoor houseplants that can boost your mood and reduce levels of stress. In no time, by incorporating these small touches in your home, you’re well on your way to creating a space that reflects your design and feels like home.
Maintain your home for optimal value
Now that you’ve been decorating and possibly refurbishing your living room, kitchen, bathroom, or another area of your home to achieve the look of your dreams, it’s time to take part in the less than exciting part of being a homeowner. Realistically, many running parts are operating within your home beyond. One of the most valuable things inside your home is your HVAC system.
This is especially the case for homes in the Midwest or other parts of the country where winters are cold requiring heat, and summers are hot requiring air conditioning. If you start to notice that your AC system is struggling to efficiently keep your home comfortable, then it’s time to call the HVAC professionals to get your system working efficiently. By keeping maintenance on this part of your home, you’re ensuring your HVAC system is working efficiently which improves your family’s comfort.
Plus, if you opt for an energy-efficient furnace for your new home, then you’re committing to a bonus that potential homebuyers may find has return value if you were to sell. All in all, the house-hunting process is overwhelming, but it’s an amazing feat if you’ve found your dream home that speaks to you.
