Real estate agents know things about home buying that the rest of us may not be aware of.
After all, it’s their job, and they have seen hundreds of homes, including houses that have ended up back on the market at a loss soon after purchase.
According to realtors, there are some must-haves to consider when buying a home. There are also just as many things to avoid.
Are you ready to arm yourself with information and find the perfect abode? Here’s what real estate agents say you should consider before buying a home:
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#1 Would Have – Extra Space
Realtors will suggest that getting a place with the exact number of rooms you think you need may not be a wise idea. Look for a home with at least one more bathroom and bedroom than you think you will require. It will give you room to expand into, rather than having to move again.
#1 Wouldn’t Have – Wall to Wall Carpeting
Wall to wall carpeting looks great when it’s new, but it can be a pain to replace and can give mold and dust a place to call home. It can also cause damage to the flooring below, especially if there are any spills or other accidents that occur over the years.
#2 Would Have – A Conservative Fixer-Upper
Buying low with the option to sell at a profit isn’t just for people who want to flip homes. It’s also helpful for traditional homeowners who may need to move or use the equity in their home at a later date.
Why wouldn’t you want to have a home that can be increased in value with some minor renovations?
#2 Wouldn’t Have – White Appliances
White appliances scream practical, but they don’t really add value to a kitchen. They’re also more prone to showing scratches and wear with age. To add a sense of style, go with black or liven up the place with another color.
You might have amazing neighbors, but that doesn’t mean that you want to share every moment of your life with them. Make sure there is some space between your house and the neighbors. Look for somewhere with an established tree line between properties or a good amount of space between houses.
#3 Wouldn’t Have – Small Closets
We all need space for our stuff, and over the years, most of us will end up collecting a lot of stuff. Make sure there is enough room to keep your clothing and everything else you need to store out of the way. The house will feel less crowded when things actually fit in the closets.
#4 Would Have – Open Floor Plans
Open plan houses give a sense of more space. They also allow for more social interaction among family members. It’s a growing trend, with more new construction including open-plan spaces.
#4 Wouldn’t Have – A Front Door That Opens into a Room Other Than the Living Room
There is nothing more awkward than walking into a home and then right into the kitchen, especially if it’s currently in the process of being cleaned (or needs to be). Make sure there’s a neutral space, such as a front hall or living room, that guests can enter first.
#5 Would Have – Lots of Natural Light
Sunlight can brighten a room, help to reduce heating costs, and improve the health and well-being of residents. Consider visiting a property a few different times to get an idea of how the sun hits it throughout the day.
#5 Wouldn’t Have – Close Enough to the Highway to Hear or See It
We all like convenience and highways are definitely that if you need to do the morning commute. However, there is such a thing as too convenient. It’s worth the extra few minutes of driving to keep your pets safe and away from harm and reduce your own stress levels as well.
#6 Would Have – A Well Maintained Home
Regular maintenance is vital. If aspects of a house have been let go, it can significantly reduce the value and the life of the home. It’s important to make sure that plumbing, the roof, and other major maintenance has been done regularly.
#6 Wouldn’t Have – A Neighborhood with Lots of Traffic
It’s nice to have a neighborhood where you can go for a stroll, walk the dog, or let the kids play. That kind of bliss is much easier to achieve when there is more foot traffic than vehicle traffic.
#7 Would Have – Enjoyable and Accessible Outdoor Space
Having an outdoor space where you can entertain guests or just enjoy a cup of coffee by yourself is vital. If it’s easily accessible and only a few steps from the house, that’s even better. It allows the indoor space to flow into the outdoors.
#7 Wouldn’t Have – Inadequate Heating or Cooling
A house loses its habitability quickly when everyone living there is always burning up or freezing. Check to make sure the home is properly insulated and that the heating and cooling systems are adequate enough to maintain the right temperature in the whole house.
#8 Would Have – Within Walking Distance of Shops, Restaurants, and Parks
Sometimes, we don’t want to drive everywhere. Living nearby restaurants, stores, and other local amenities give us a reason to get some exercise while providing a sense of an extended community beyond our immediate neighbors.
#8 Wouldn’t Have – A Location with Limited Internet Options
Getting a good signal really is important these days, and so is a fiber connection for many people. A house without either can become a virtual dead zone.
#9 Would Have – Unique Features
Unique features can really bring a place to life and give it personality. Original details like exposed brick or useful touches such as a built-in bookcase can really add value to a place and make it feel like home.
#9 Wouldn’t Have – A View into the Neighbor’s House
When you’re looking out the kitchen window, can you see directly into the neighbor’s kitchen – or worse – their bedroom? Can they see into yours? There are times when sudden unexpected eye contact is just uncomfortable. When it happens between neighboring windows, that’s usually one of those times.
#10 Would Have – A Piece of Nature in the City
Look for a place that has some greenery and less traffic. Dead ends and cul-de-sacs can offer that little bit of breathing room in an otherwise crowded town or city. A house near a small park may also be the perfect solution.
#10 Wouldn’t Have – A Door Leading from the Kitchen to a Bathroom
There are some things that should never mix. Germs and food are two of those things. Avoid homes that were built to save on plumbing by having the kitchen and bathroom share the same pipes and nearly the same space.
#11 Would Have – Natural Materials
Consider hardwood floors, stone interiors, or other natural materials. They’re pleasant on the eyes, endure through time, and add value to the home.
#11 Wouldn’t Have – Something Above Your Determined Budget
Don’t fall in love with a house that is outside of your original price range. While it may seem perfect, you’ll probably regret the price tag later on when you’re living in it.
#12 Would Have – A Space for Everyone
Make sure that the needs of each member of the household can be accommodated with the space. Will the person with more clothes than possible have that walk-in wardrobe they so desperately need? Will there be a space to entertain friends in the summer? Does the garage have enough room for your bikes and other sports gear?
#12 Wouldn’t Have – Low Resale Value
Don’t buy at a price higher than the market can normally take. Also, consider a home that will stand against weather and wear for a long time to come. Some houses will do better than others in the long run.
#13 Would Have – A Home Office
With more of us working from home every day, it’s often important to have a space that can be used as a spare office. Make sure you have enough rooms available so you can save one for getting work done.
#13 Wouldn’t Have – Sprinkler Heads that Spray the House
Sprinklers are an asset if you want a green lawn. However, they can do damage to a house and cause rot over time if they are directed towards the building.
#14 Would Have – Energy Efficient
A green home can save money each month while helping to protect the environment. With so many energy efficient appliances available, as well as methods of making a home more energy efficient, it doesn’t make sense for a home to not save you money on electric each month.
#14 Wouldn’t Have – Undefined Property Boundaries
If you aren’t sure where your property ends and the neighbor’s starts, it could cause problems later on when you (or they) want to add a fence or an additional building, plant a garden near the property line, or build on to your home.
#15 Would Have – A Fireplace
There is something about a fireplace that everyone loves. While it probably shouldn’t be the only option for heat, it does add value to a property to have one. It’s also really nice on cold winter nights and convenient during a power outage.
#15 Wouldn’t Have – Old or Out of Date Wiring
You don’t want to end up living in a fire hazard or be forced to change the wiring and fuse box shortly after moving in to stay compliant. Make sure the home you are looking at has newer wiring and electrical components.
#16 Would Have – Flexible Floor Plans
Make sure that the rooms in the house can be easily converted in case you need them for something other than their original purpose. Movable partitions are one of the ultimate ways to convert a space.
#16 Wouldn’t Have – Damp Areas in or Near the Home
Look for areas where moisture has caused damage or is likely to in the future. Wood rot and mold can become expensive to repair and remove.
#17 Would Have – Private Outdoor Space
We usually don’t have any curtains that we can pull closed outside, but sometimes we still want to enjoy a little time in the backyard without feeling like a star on a reality TV show. Look to see if there is a space in the yard that can offer seclusion.
#17 Wouldn’t Have – A Weak Toilet Flush
Check the plumbing and test the water pressure before getting a place. A slow-moving toilet or bad water pressure will wreck your day when you are trying to live with them.
#18 Would Have – Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant heating is becoming more popular as a method of home heating. It helps to keep your toes warm even on the coldest of days, and the lack of forced air helps to reduce lung problems.
#18 Wouldn’t Have – A Location in a Flood Zone
Not only is flood insurance difficult to get, but some things simply can’t be replaced once they are damaged by water. Flood waters can also do significant damage to the structure of a building, costing you your home and investment.
#19 Would Have – Smart Home Technology
Consider if you would like the convenience of turning the heat on from your mobile device before you arrive home. Or maybe you would like to have the lights turn on and off by themselves to give the appearance of someone being home when you can’t be.
There are a ton of conveniences that technology can provide.
#19 Wouldn’t Have – Thin Walls
Are you going to hear every footstep in the house even with your bedroom door closed and a pillow over your head? Check the house to see how much sound travels internally – and if it can be blocked.
#20 Would Have – Built-in TV Wiring
This is a convenient way to make sure there are no cords around to trip on or clutter the area. Check to see if there is already a place to hook up everything for your TV.
#20 Wouldn’t Have – Single-pane Windows
This is especially true in climates that experience moderate to cold temperatures. It lets the cold right through and will cost you when it comes to heating as well as cooling.
#21 Would Have – A Big Kitchen Island
A big island in the kitchen offers a social space as well as somewhere to cook and prepare food with plenty of room. It’s also aesthetically pleasing and really adds something special to a kitchen.
#21 Wouldn’t Have – Bedrooms Near High Traffic Areas of the House
There will be a lack of sleep going on if any bedrooms are near high traffic areas such as the front door, living room, or kitchen. Seriously think twice before getting a home that doesn’t keep the bedrooms separate from everything else.
#22 Would Have – High-Performance Appliances
Appliances that provide everything you need and more can make a home both more comfortable to live in as well as making it more useful. They also help to improve the resale value.
#22 Wouldn’t Have – A House without a Full Inspection
Never skip the inspection part of the home buying process. You never know what you might be missing, from a cracked foundation to unstable fixtures. It’s better to know before you buy rather than find out after the fact.
#23 Would Have – Separate Tub and Shower
People generally have a preference for a tub or a shower. The easiest way to manage that is to have both, separately. Another good thing to have is a toilet in a sperate space from the tub.
#23 Wouldn’t Have – Excessive Additional Expenses
Watch out for HOA costs that you might not be expecting. Also, consider what the expenses will be in the location you are choosing. Do you know what your monthly bills will be?
#24 Would Have – Large Master Bath and Spa Features
Everyone loves a large master bathroom. From Jacuzzi tubs to rainfall showerheads and space to move around in, a little extra luxury is really appreciated in this room, even if the house itself isn’t luxury.
#24 Wouldn’t Have – A Major Fixer-upper
While we have all spent at least a little time watching house flipping shows, there is a reality to the situation that may be stress-inducing and expensive, especially if you aren’t already a master carpenter and plumber.
#25 Would Have – Oversized Garage
A garage that you can squeeze the car into is good, but one you can squeeze everything else into as well is better. Make sure there is room for bicycles, outdoor furniture, and more.
#25 Wouldn’t Have – A Bad Floor Plan
Consider how you will get from one room to another. Are people going to have to travel through your personal space to reach a bathroom? Are some rooms too close together for comfort? Some floor plans should never have made it to the construction phase.
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