Let's be honest here, although there is a great deal of excitement linked to buying a new home, there is also a certain amount of stress, particularly when you can't find exactly what you are looking for.
Finding the right home can be likened to a love affair. You may not like everything about a property, but like a relationship, you are probably willing to overlook the bad for the good. There could also be things about the property that you fall in love with, but which will start to irk you as time goes on.
Knowing what your requirements are, as well as what you will and what you won't be able to tolerate, is always a good start. Remembering these when viewing a home that is screaming 'buy me' is imperative if you want to stop future heartbreak.
The adage 'marry in haste, repent at leisure’, comes to mind when hunting for a home. Don't rush into something that you are not 100 percent sure about. If there are things about the property that you actively dislike, ask yourself if you would be able to overlook and live with these once you move in. View the property more than once and, if possible, try and see the property at different times and on various days of the week. Things are often quieter on a weekend and may give a false impression of peacefulness in the neighbourhood.
Before you start the great house hunt, make a list, noting everything you are looking for in a property. If you are currently renting, consider which features appeal and which do not. Not every dislike is going to be a deal breaker, but there are things that could well ruin the entire home owning experience. If you are adamant about wanting a large kitchen for example, walk away from homes that don't have this as the cost of extending an existing kitchen is going to be prohibitive. That said, don't overlook the possibility of telling the agent what the problem is and see if a deal can be worked out with the seller.
While the condition and overall style of home is always going to be important, don't forget to check out the surrounds and amenities on offer. This is particularly important if you are used to having a wide range of amenities close at hand.
Unless you build, it is highly unlikely that you are going to find all of the right features in a home and buyers inevitably have to compromise on certain things. Finding the right balance is absolutely vital to any successful house hunting exercise and will undoubtedly lead to a long lasting love affair.
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