If you are in the market for a new home, you likely have a lot on your mind. There are many, MANY things to consider when it comes to choosing a new place to live. In fact, for some, the home shopping process can be quite overwhelming.
The home buying process tends to happen in stages. If you’re at the beginning stage of shopping for a home and wondering where to start, these questions should help!
Questions to Ask As You Start Shopping for a Home
How much can I afford to spend on a home?
Establishing a budget is a very important place to start when it comes to initiating your search for a new home. Understanding how much you can afford to spend on a house is key!
How long do I plan to live in this home?
Are you planning to buy a starter home that you’ll only stay in for a few years, or are you looking to move into your forever home?
Should I build or buy a home?
Are you set on buying an existing home or are you open to considering the possibility of building a custom home? There are pros and cons to both options!
Learn more about the pros and cons of building a custom home.
Should I buy a turn key home, or am I willing to take on a fixer-upper?
If you are determined to purchase an existing home, consider whether you’d rather spend a bit more on a home in move-in-ready condition, or spend a bit less on a home that needs a little bit of TLC.
What are the MUST HAVE features I need in a home?
Are there certain things that you absolutely must have in your new home? Are there specific features you just can’t live without? Make a list of these items so you can easily eliminate home options that lack what you’re looking for.
Get a sense of some popular new home features you may want to consider here.
How much are the property and school taxes in the area I am considering?
Taxes are an extra expense that you may not be used to covering if you’ve been renting. As you start your home search, be sure to do some research on area taxes. While you may not be able to find exact tax data, you should be able to find general information about how much you should expect to pay if you purchase a home in a specific area.
How are the school districts in the area I am considering?
If you have children, or you’re planning to have children, considering the area school districts is always a good idea when contemplating a home purchase. Do some research ahead of time to find out if some local districts are better than others.
Moving to the Saratoga NY area? Learn about the local school districts in and around Saratoga.
Are there specific neighborhoods I prefer in the region?
If you are looking for a home in a particular area or region, do some research and ask around to find out if there might be certain neighborhoods you’d prefer, or certain areas you are better off avoiding.
Learn more about our unique Saratoga area communities.
How far am I willing to commute for my job?
Make sure you are only considering homes that are within a manageable distance from your place of employment if you are planning to keep the same job after you relocate. You’ll likely want to make sure other everyday conveniences are nearby and homes you are considering as well.
How much can I afford to spend on utility and maintenance costs?
Like taxes, maintenance and utility costs are additional expenses that you’ll need to be sure to budget for when purchasing a home. Figure out how much you are willing and able to pay above and beyond your monthly mortgage payment so you have a budget in mind as you begin considering homes.
This helpful checklist of fall home maintenance tasks will help you get a sense of some of the things you’ll need to be prepared for as a new homeowner.
In the Market for a New Home in the Saratoga NY Area? We Can Help!
If you’re shopping for a new home in the greater Capital District and are interested in settling down in the Saratoga NY area, contacting the Heritage Custom Builders team is a great place to start.
Whether you’re interested in purchasing an existing home in one of our local communities or you’d like to learn more about what’s involved in building and purchasing a custom home, we can point you in the right direction.
Contact us online or give us a call today at (518) 348-0931 to find out how we can help you with your home search!