Buying a Home You'll Love for the Long Haul

It might have been love at first sight — or maybe it took one or two dates — but do you remember what it was like to find that special person and fall in love? You might feel the same way when you're buying a home. You see several possibilities, listen to a few friends, and then suddenly find the right one: your dream home.

Buying a house is a big undertaking. For most people, their home is the largest personal investment they will make throughout their lifetime. Buying a home is filled with big expectations and without due diligence, there can be big disappointments.

Looking deeper into buying a house is important to ensure you'll love it for the long haul. Take into consideration the following questions to find happily ever after:

1. Will the house serve your current and future needs?

The house may be fine for you as a young couple or a single person, but will it be enough a few years from now if your family grows? According to mortgage information site HSH.com, the most common complaint from home buyers is inadequate space with 80 percent of buyers registering this complaint.

Measure the space in your closet, bedroom, living room, kitchen, and other key areas. Then, take those of the house you are planning to buy. If the new purchase doesn't give you significantly more space, you could soon be grumbling about not having enough space in your new home.

2. Are you buying in a controlled development area?

Find out whether you are buying in a controlled development area. If it is, you have peace of mind that you won't see someone put up a pub or other development that would be a nuisance in the area.

3. Did you do a home inspection?

Homebuyers are entitled to an inspection once a seller accepts their offer. Some buyers opt to forego an inspection because they are trying to buy in a strong seller's market; however, this is not advisable.

Don't forego a home inspection because you are buying a house in the same neighborhood as someone you know and the houses are all alike. The houses may all be the same but one may have problems that another doesn't. One home could have issues with the HVAC system, a leaky basement, dry rot in the joists, or other issues that another house doesn't.

It not only matters that you have your home inspected but also that you have it inspected by a qualified, reputable professional from the area. Ideally, it should be done by an independent company not attached to a buying or selling company. To prevent any problems, research the company before hiring them for the job. 

4. What kind of neighbors can you expect to find?

You can't know what kind of neighbors you will have years after you buy the home, and you can't control that. But you can control what type of neighborhood you move to. Some neighborhoods have good reputations while others are known for their insecurity. To find the right fit, research the neighborhood's reputation and the demographics that inhabit it. 

5. Are the amenities you need nearby?

Another factor you want to consider before buying a house is whether the amenities you need are nearby. If you have or plan on having children in the future, you'll want to check that there are good schools and childcare facilities in the area. Amenities like supermarkets, gyms, parks, and restaurants may also make life easier and more fulfilling in the years to come.

6. How far will you need to commute?

If you are going to be commuting to work every day, you likely don't want a long commute where you'll have to leave early in the morning and get home super late. You can avoid this by determining the exact commute time before committing to the home.

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