Hey Park City - Things to Remember Before Falling in Love with a House

Love is in the air this time of year, and plenty of people are looking for a new sweetheart to call their own. Well-built, sturdy, strong financial sense, good-looking... and maybe a nice walk-in closet in the master bedroom. You know how it goes. When you're looking for love, it's got to be just right.

We've put together 10 tips to help determine whether your new home-buying crush is truly fit to be your one and only.

Remember These 10 Things Before Falling in Love with a House

Happy home-buyers balance their budgetary needs with their must-have features and aesthetic appeal. It's about falling in love with the total package, not just the home that looks nicest from the curb.

1.       Plan Ahead – Make a list of the your most important home attributes before you start shopping, and update it as needed. Your list may change as you begin to visit homes, but it helps to remember your initial goals and desires.

2.       Open Doors – Developing a “real estate crush” is actually quite common, buy it pays to keep an open mind. Don't close off other opportunities until you've made a final decision, so that you'll have desirable fallback options.

3.       Take Your Time – Don't let a lack of time to decide force you into a decision in the early part of your search. You may decide to move quickly once you're sure about a house, but you don't need to rush the process of narrowing down your list.

4.       See It Live – Online home listings are a great way to form a first impression, but the only way to know for sure is to see it in person, Make time to visit a diverse selection of homes that really catch your eye.

5.       Scout Schools – The quality of a school district often affects property values in the area. If you don't have children, you may get more value for your home-buying dollar by living in an average school district.

6.       Public Projects – Enjoying the quiet, tucked-away vibe of a potential home? Ask around to find out about any construction that might upset that calm. A new house being built next door is no problem, but a new supermarket next door might be cause to reconsider your location.

7.       Budget Realistically – Planning a budget is one of the most critical elements of the home-buying process. You might decide to go a bit over budget if necessary, but setting limits will help you avoid falling in love with a home that's impractical for your financial needs.

8.       Look Under the Rug – You don't actually need to start tearing up carpets, but it pays to take a closer look at any homes that really pique your interest. Looking in corners, closets, and other hidden places will help complete the picture of what you'll truly be buying.

9.       Ask About Renovations – Usually, renovations are a good thing. Just be sure to ask whether renovations on a home have been done by a licensed contractor. DIY is fine for small projects, but you want to be certain that the big stuff was left to the pros.

10.    Prepare a Down Payment – For the best chance of landing your dream home, you'll want to make a truly competitive bid. Making a down payment is always a good idea, and saving in advance will allow you to put more money down.

Need a hand finding a home that gets the butterflies fluttering in your stomach? Contact Cheryl Fine-Whitteron to shop for homes in Park City, UT, and find a house you can truly love.