When you’re shopping for a new home, you typically have your fingers crossed that you’ll find that perfect home that meets all or most of the points on your checklist. But what happens if you find two “dream” homes? Choosing between two homes you love can be incredibly challenging, especially in today’s fast-paced housing market where homes are getting snatched up quickly, leaving you with little time to make a decision.
The first thing you need to remember is that buying a home isn’t a decision that should be guided simply by emotion. You’re going to be living in the house you choose for years to come, and chances are you’ll be making payments on it for a long time. This has to be a decision that is guided by logic and clear thinking (with some emotion of course!).
But when you have two great houses to choose from, how can you determine which one is right for you? It all comes down to making the right comparisons between the two homes. You’ll want to compare:
- The price—You have a budget to consider, and the last thing you should do is overextend yourself financially just because you want a particular home. Spend some time carefully reviewing your budget, and make sure the homes you’re considering fit within that price range. You should also make sure each home is priced fairly. Compare each home to other recently sold comparable homes in its area to ensure pricing is correct.
- The neighborhood—Location is everything, and your neighborhood will have a huge influence over your lifestyle. Every neighborhood is different – even if they are located only a few miles apart. Consider the features of each neighborhood to find the one that best suits your family. Maybe one neighborhood has a park and another one doesn’t. Or maybe one of the neighborhoods has better access to restaurants and shopping or closer proximity to schools.
- The crime statistics—Crime is always something you should look at before buying a home. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned dollars on a home only to find out it’s located in an area where break-ins and other crimes are the norm. You can easily research crime statistics online, or you can speak to the local police department to find out more about the crime in a particular neighborhood. And if you have time, you might even consider a drive through the neighborhood after dark.
- The school districts—Whether you have school-aged kids or not, you should still research the schools in the areas of the homes you’re considering. If you have kids, you obviously want to make sure they’ll be able to get a great education. If you don’t have kids, you still want to buy a house in an area with good schools because it enhances the value of your home.
- The potential for appreciation—When you buy a house, you’re making an investment, so it’s important to determine which investment has the best potential to increase in value. If one of the homes is located in a neighborhood that’s on the upswing while the other is in a neighborhood with declining values, you’d probably want to choose the former.
Looking for your dream home in the Outer Banks? Coastal Outer Banks Realty can help you find the right home for you and your family. Visit www.coastalouterbanks.com today for more information!