How to Choose a Home

Here are some tips to help determine which house is best for you.
Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods for your search, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remind you which features are must have and which amenities are preferable. When narrowing down your home search, consider:

Types of homes or apartments
In addition to single family Villas, there are other forms of home ownership:
Apartments:  you own "from the plaster in" just as you would a single house. You also own a certain percentage of the "common elements" -- staircases, sidewalks, roofs and the like. Monthly charges pay your share of repairs and maintenance. A homeowners association administers the development.

Home purchase considerations
Most buyers' first consideration, after neighborhoods are chosen, is the number of bedrooms. As you begin to view homes, keep the following purchase and resale considerations in mind:

*  Weigh your needs, budget and personal tastes in deciding whether you want a home that’s a newly constructed home, an older home or a home that requires some work
*  One-bedroom condos are more difficult to resell than two-bedroom ones.
*  Two-bedroom/one-bath single houses generally have less appeal than houses with three or more bedrooms, and therefore less appreciation potential.
*  Homes with "curb appeal" (a well-maintained, attractive, and charming view-from-the-street appearance) are the easiest to resell.
*  When resale is a possibility, don't buy the most expensive house on the street, or anything that is unusual or unique. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home on the street.

Home comparison chart
While house-hunting, it's a good idea to make notes about what you see because viewing several houses at a time can be confusing. Use our home comparison chart to help you keep track of your search, organize your thoughts and record your impressions.

When you’ve found the right home
To avoid someone else close the deal before you resolve this point that you will act decisively when you find the house that’s clearly right for you. This is particularly important after a long search or if the house is newly listed and/or under-priced.