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After weeks of searching for their first home, the young couple found themselves overwhelmed. Each home they looked at had potential but all had quirks. They were either too small, too large, too expensive or too far from the local school.
The couple gave it one more try, this time with a Georgian on a shady lot. The home not only had a lot of the amenities they had hoped for but also just felt right. They bid on the home that very afternoon.
What the couple had developed in their quest for a new home was "vision" -- the ability to use their senses and imagination to determine which house was best for them.
Such vision not only helps with the selection process but later combats "buyer's remorse" -- that uneasy feeling homeowners get about how much they paid for their house, and if the house is truly right for them.
How do you develop vision? Part of it comes with the experience gained during the house hunting process. But there are other ways to hone your skill, including the active consideration of your current and future needs. See "Take It And Run," below, for some tips. |
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 Consider your family's current needs. What's the current size of your family? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need to comfortably house everyone? How about the need for common spaces - family rooms, kitchens and backyards?
Look at school districts. Whether or not you have children, schools are an incredibly important factor. A obvious question to consider here is how close the home is to the local school.
Consider future needs. With the millions of dollars invested each year in home renovation and remodeling, it's obvious that most homeowners quickly outgrow the physical constraints of their homes.
While it's impossible to predict the future, think about what you want for your family. For example, do you plan on expanding your family? Might you need more bedrooms? Could you survive a home expansion? Or will your family size contract as your children go off to college?
Consider your finances. Ideally, you'll find a home that works for you that doesn't bankrupt you.
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