Finding Your Perfect Home: Create Your “Ideal” Home Checklist

While we’ve focused on the financial planning and aspect of buying a home before (look back to some previous blogs here), there are a ton of decisions to be made when deciding whether or not a home is right for you, if the investment is worth it, and whether or not you and your family will be happy in your new home. 

We’ve whittled down the list to several key amenities or considerations that should be made for your average family. Whatever your situation, we hope this list will help you create your own ideal checklist for your next home and possibly spark some great questions for you and your partner, family, and realtor to consider before buying a home. 

Is it the Right Time?

First thing is first, you need to figure out when you would ideally find your home and move. Right now, the market continues to be hot in the DMV. Homes that are listed well are currently averaging about 14 days on the market. If you don’t plan to move until the summer, then setting your sights on homes in the desired area now will only leave you disappointed. It’s good to see what’s out there and narrow down your search to potential neighborhoods and locations, but try to avoid looking at homes until you’re about 30-60 days out from actually moving. Use the extra time to save and figure out what your loan and financing options are. (We’ll discuss first-time home buyer loans, VA loans, and others to consider in a future blog, but talk with your realtor today or do your own research online to get ahead.) 

How Much House Do You Need?

You never want to buy a bigger house than you can handle. Yes, consider your family's growth potential, but more house just means higher costs for utilities and maintenance. Decide on the minimum and maximum square footage you need to be comfortable. While five bedrooms might be nice as far as everyone having their own space, if those bedrooms are all smaller (which is often the case), you may want to consider a three or four bedroom home. 

Looking at the price per square foot can be a good way to measure some of the value of a home, but it could also be misleading. You want to consider the age of the home, the home efficiency, and the upgrades that have been made. Having a basement gives you more space, but if it’s unfinished, it may not always be included in the overall square footage of the house. Asking the listing realtor more specific questions, viewing the home yourself, and getting your hands on utility estimates will all aid in determining how much house you can afford. 

How Far Are You Willing to Commute?

With our area in the DMV, this is even more crucial to consider. While many employers are moving to those hybrid and work-from-home schedules (and entire generations are thanking those employers), you still need to consider your commute. How far away is work? What public transportation options are available? Are carpools and slug lines nearby? Unfortunately, while the DMV has pretty much everything to offer, it is a more congested area. Spending a little more to be closer to D.C. or live inside the beltway might be worth it, depending on your situation. Decide how far is too far. How long of a commute is too long and incorporate those gas prices and/or Metro and VRE costs into your pros and cons lists. 

How Old Are Appliances and Large Features?

How many HVAC systems a home needs, how old they are, the state of the roof, and other major appliances and upgrades should be considered as well. “Big money” items like a new furnace or a new roof can be deal-breakers for many families. Now, most sellers get this and a home inspection will reveal any major issues, but older, outdated appliances and any new features, such as solar panels or even an upgraded kitchen should be factored in somewhere. While your home may have “good bones,” if you don’t have the extra funds or won’t qualify for a larger loan to make improvements, it’s time to move on from that home. 

Consider the Neighborhood and Schools

This is a BIG one for most– if not all– of our clients. Good schools and the neighborhood vibes are often deal-makers or deal-breakers for potential buyers. And, sorry to say, but you cannot always rely on the listings to be accurate when it comes to the assigned schools. In order to verify which schools your potential home is zoned for, you need to go to the school district’s website. Many, like Stafford County, for example, have a “Find My Schools” feature where you can type in the address of the home you’re viewing, and it will generate a list of the current assigned schools. Talking to a school point of contact and asking about plans to re-district or re-zone will also be something to consider if you have kids. We’ve discussed the importance of good schools in previous blogs as well, so take a look here and also review things like GreatSchools and Niche scores as well, and get out and walk around your potential neighborhood. 

Join neighborhood pages, run the address through websites like Family Watchdog to see if there are sex offenders or violent criminals living in your area. Determine whether or not a homeowners association exists for your neighborhood, and consider the pros and cons of that. 

What Home Features are Must-Haves or Bonuses?

Lastly, have a column in your spreadsheet or a category to add the extras that make the house unique or more conducive for your own family situation. If you have lots of kids, maybe a flex room or basement is a must-have for you. If you have cats, maybe a larger bathroom or laundry area for the litter boxes is your bonus feature. If you have canine family members, a good fence is a must-have or a big yard is a bonus feature for your “ideal home”. Love to cook? Then that luxury kitchen with upgraded appliances should score higher for you. Now is the time to consider what features would help you fall in love with your new home and what they’re worth to you in the long run. Are there patios or a deck to get that Vitamin D or entertain friends? 

People can have fun with this bullet point for sure, but, again, it is really important to prioritize those things and categorize them as either wants vs. needs. 

Make Your List!

Now, review this list. Add or subtract from it, and then rank how important these items are to you? Which amenities or features of a house are your deal breakers? Which ones carry more weight? Is anything a want vs. a need? Completing this exercise will help you to stick to your priorities and not become overwhelmed. It’s also great to have more of an objective list, so you won’t be swayed by other factors. Maybe you give certain criteria different points and tally them to determine your top choices. 

Whatever your system, you should create one to avoid perhaps a sudden or emotional decision. Yes, you want to love your new home, but it should be a pragmatic and financially sound choice that is best for you and your family. If your house isn’t out there right now, then maybe it is best to rent for the time being. If you find that a home with all your wants is simply out of your price range right now, then that’s something to come to terms with as well. Hopefully, the stars will align and you’ll be in– maybe not your dream home, but– a comfortable house you can make a home, soon enough. 

If we can help you find your next home, give us a call at 571-308-2902 or fill out the contact form on our website here. We’ll be happy to review your checklists with you and give other insights into our particular areas of expertise as well!