We can all admit that real estate agents are one of the top professionals to get advice about houses. After all, it’s their job to view hundreds of houses and sort out the pros and cons of putting them on sale. According to these reliable professionals, there are some must-haves and must-avoids to consider when buying a home. Here are tips from real estate agents that you may want to consider before buying a house.
#1 Would Have – Extra Space
Realtors will suggest that getting a place with the exact number of rooms you think you need may not be a wise idea. Look for a home with at least one more bathroom and bedroom than you think you will require. It will give you room to expand into, rather than having to move again.
#2 Wouldn’t Have – Wall to Wall Carpeting
Wall to wall carpeting looks great when it’s new, but it can be a pain to replace and can give mold and dust a place to call home. It can also cause damage to the flooring below, especially if there are any spills or other accidents that occur over the years.
#3 Would Have – A Conservative Fixer-Upper
Buying low with the option to sell at a profit isn’t just for people who want to flip homes. It’s also helpful for traditional homeowners who may need to move or use the equity in their home at a later date.
Why wouldn’t you want to have a home that can be increased in value with some minor renovations?
#4 Wouldn’t Have – White Appliances
White appliances scream practical, but they don’t really add value to a kitchen. They’re also more prone to showing scratches and wear with age. To add a sense of style, go with black or liven up the place with another color.
#5 Would Have – Privacy!
You might have amazing neighbors, but that doesn’t mean that you want to share every moment of your life with them. Make sure there is some space between your house and the neighbors. Look for somewhere with an established tree line between properties or a good amount of space between houses.
#6 Wouldn’t Have – Small Closets
We all need space for our stuff, and over the years, most of us will end up collecting a lot of stuff. Make sure there is enough room to keep your clothing and everything else you need to store out of the way. The house will feel less crowded when things actually fit in the closets.
#7 Would Have – Open Floor Plans
Open plan houses give a sense of more space. They also allow for more social interaction among family members. It’s a growing trend, with more new construction including open-plan spaces.
#8 Wouldn’t Have – A Front Door That Opens into a Room Other Than the Living Room
There is nothing more awkward than walking into a home and then right into the kitchen, especially if it’s currently in the process of being cleaned (or needs to be). Make sure there’s a neutral space, such as a front hall or living room, that guests can enter first.
#9 Would Have – Lots of Natural Light
Sunlight can brighten a room, help to reduce heating costs, and improve the health and well-being of residents. Consider visiting a property a few different times to get an idea of how the sun hits it throughout the day.
#10 Wouldn’t Have – Close Enough to the Highway to Hear or See It
We all like convenience and highways are definitely that if you need to do the morning commute. However, there is such a thing as too convenient. It’s worth the extra few minutes of driving to keep your pets safe and away from harm and reduce your own stress levels as well.
#11 Would Have – A Well Maintained Home
Regular maintenance is vital. If aspects of a house have been let go, it can significantly reduce the value and the life of the home. It’s important to make sure that plumbing, the roof, and other major maintenance has been done regularly.
#12 Wouldn’t Have – A Neighborhood with Lots of Traffic
It’s nice to have a neighborhood where you can go for a stroll, walk the dog, or let the kids play. That kind of bliss is much easier to achieve when there is more foot traffic than vehicle traffic.
#13 Would Have – Enjoyable and Accessible Outdoor Space
Having an outdoor space where you can entertain guests or just enjoy a cup of coffee by yourself is vital. If it’s easily accessible and only a few steps from the house, that’s even better. It allows the indoor space to flow into the outdoors.
#14 Wouldn’t Have – Inadequate Heating or Cooling
A house loses its habitability quickly when everyone living there is always burning up or freezing. Check to make sure the home is properly insulated and that the heating and cooling systems are adequate enough to maintain the right temperature in the whole house.
#15 Would Have – Within Walking Distance of Shops, Restaurants, and Parks
Sometimes, we don’t want to drive everywhere. Living nearby restaurants, stores, and other local amenities give us a reason to get some exercise while providing a sense of an extended community beyond our immediate neighbors.
#16 Wouldn’t Have – A Location with Limited Internet Options
Getting a good signal really is important these days, and so is a fiber connection for many people. A house without either can become a virtual dead zone.
#17 Would Have – Unique Features
Unique features can really bring a place to life and give it personality. Original details like exposed brick or useful touches such as a built-in bookcase can really add value to a place and make it feel like home.
#18 Wouldn’t Have – A View into the Neighbor’s House
When you’re looking out the kitchen window, can you see directly into the neighbor’s kitchen – or worse – their bedroom? Can they see into yours? There are times when sudden unexpected eye contact is just uncomfortable. When it happens between neighboring windows, that’s usually one of those times.
#19 Would Have – A Piece of Nature in the City
Look for a place that has some greenery and less traffic. Dead ends and cul-de-sacs can offer that little bit of breathing room in an otherwise crowded town or city. A house near a small park may also be the perfect solution.
#20 Wouldn’t Have – A Door Leading from the Kitchen to a Bathroom
There are some things that should never mix. Germs and food are two of those things. Avoid homes that were built to save on plumbing by having the kitchen and bathroom share the same pipes and nearly the same space.
#21 Would Have – Natural Materials
Consider hardwood floors, stone interiors, or other natural materials. They’re pleasant on the eyes, endure through time, and add value to the home.
#22 Wouldn’t Have – Something Above Your Determined Budget
Don’t fall in love with a house that is outside of your original price range. While it may seem perfect, you’ll probably regret the price tag later on when you’re living in it.
#23 Would Have – A Space for Everyone
Make sure that the needs of each member of the household can be accommodated with the space. Will the person with more clothes than possible have that walk-in wardrobe they so desperately need? Will there be a space to entertain friends in the summer? Does the garage have enough room for your bikes and other sports gear?
#24 Wouldn’t Have – Low Resale Value
Don’t buy at a price higher than the market can normally take. Also, consider a home that will stand against weather and wear for a long time to come. Some houses will do better than others in the long run.
#25 Would Have – A Home Office
With more of us working from home every day, it’s often important to have a space that can be used as a spare office. Make sure you have enough rooms available so you can save one for getting work done.