Where would you like to live?

Uncertain of what you really for your home? Is it a luxurious mansion in secluded Eagle, Idaho? A single-family home in the suburbs of Meridian? Or maybe a spectacular modern home in the Boise foothills near Downtown? I'm happy to assist you with making one of the biggest decisions in your life. Below are our tips about what you should deliberate when searching for a new home. 

Your preferred lifestyle 

When choosing a new place to live, don’t forget to take into consideration not only the housing but also the surroundings. Thinking about a bigger picture is rather an exception than a rule in case of the first-time encounter with real estate which is the primary mistake clients make entering this unfamiliar business. It’s quite possible that your lifestyle means you should think beyond the typical single-family home when the time comes to buy your first place.

For example, if you’re a first-time buyer who’s thinking about renting out part of your new home to help pay the mortgage, then you should look at duplexes or other multi-family units. If you plan to live in the unit yourself, you can finance it as your own property, get the same homeowners’ insurance rates as owner-occupiers receive, and maintain a separate space to rent.

There are also condos and apartments, new construction and prefabricated homes, and many other options that might be a better fit for you than a prebuilt single-family home. If you need help figuring out what’s available and what’s a good fit, talk to a real estate agent, who can walk you through the common opportunities in your area and help you pick one or two that fit your lifestyle best.

Your priorities 

It’s time to start wondering about the foreground in your life and what you truly need in closest proximity to your new place. Do you hate cooking? Find a place with restaurants near you. Are you a fan of physical activity? Search for a house with multiple gyms close. This kind of thinking will enable you to discover a veritably ideal area for you.        

If you started this process six months ago and haven’t really looked at the listings in the interim, then do yourself a favor and ask your real estate agent to set you up with a personalized feed from your local multiple listing service, and then have your agent walk you through the market realities today. You’ll want to know that most buyers are paying 5 percent above asking price (or 5 percent below it) if that’s what’s happening so that you can make an educated and intelligent offer when the time comes.

Your plans 

Where do you see yourself in five years? This question sounds like a job interview but it’s useful in case of house hunting. Do you want to start a family, develop your top-notch office career, or maybe work remotely? The answer will affect your choice so give it some thought. 

A neighborhood that’s perfect for you today might be not-so-perfect in five or ten years as people move in and out and the landscape changes. So it’s smart to get an idea of what the neighborhood is like today -- and to spend some time trying to predict where it might go in the future.