Ask These Questions to Find Your Dream Home

Are you ready to start the process of buying your dream home? If you’ve already started looking at listed properties online, you may have realized that the options seem limitless. From the number of bedrooms and bathrooms to square footage to lot size, properties vary greatly, and you will quickly become exhausted if you don’t start with a plan. Today, we’ll look at a few questions you should answer before beginning your homeownership journey.

The first question you should ask is how much property can you afford. You may be overestimating or underestimating how far your savings and credit score will go. Go ahead and get prequalified for a loan, so you can have a good idea of how much money you will have available with a mortgage. Knowing this magic number will allow you to narrow down the homes you will look at.

Another good question to ask yourself before starting the buying process is what your needs are and what your wants are. Your needs are the nonnegotiables; they’re the parts of a house you can’t live without. Only you can decide what your needs are, but most people have needed bedrooms and specific location needs. After listing your needs, you can move to your wants. Your wants are anything you desire in a home but aren’t necessary. Again, only you can decide your wants, but this list often includes backyard size and specific updates within the home. Your needs and wants lists will look different from anyone else's, so spend time thinking them through.

The third question you need to ask yourself before buying your dream home is who will help guide you. Most people find their real estate agent through referrals, so ask your friends and family if they have any suggestions. Of course, it might be best for you to look up “real estate agents in the (insert city name) area.” No matter how you find your agent, having an agent will make the home-buying experience smoother and faster. 

Asking good questions before you officially begin the home-buying process will help you start with realistic expectations and make the process less frustrating. You can think through a lot independently, but a real estate agent will have the most current market information and valuable home-buying experience. Remember to ask good questions and turn to trusted professionals, so you can make the best decision possible.