Choosing the Right House

In many ways home finding is easier than choosing a county and a neighborhood, because you are considering tangible details. Yet our experience suggests that many people "decide" with emotion, and "justify" with facts.

First, one should realize that thousands of houses are sold in the area every year. Inspecting the thousands of houses on the market is obviously impossible.

But you can turn this overwhelming selection to your advantage. If you can clearly describe the features you require, we can make a preliminary screening for you. After you select the best houses, you can concentrate on inspecting your top choices. The key is knowing what you need.

House Questions

How many people will be living in the house?

Do you prefer a new or resale home?

What is your preferred housing style (Townhouse, colonial, contemporary, split level, split foyer; Cape Cod, rambler, or something else)?

How strongly do you require features such as: separate living room, dining room, laundry room, basement or attic, family room, fireplace, workshop area, garage?

Do you have preferences for any particular natural features?

Is there enough room for both the present and the future?

Does anything need to repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace the items?

Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year-round?

House Hunting

Many of our customers find it helpful to keep a record of the houses they inspect. A notebook is handy with pages large enough to record vital information, as well as hold stapled pictures of attractive houses and neighborhoods or clipped advertisements.

Physical Details

Exterior

Lot size

Landscaping details

Structural condition

Are any major repairs or improvements necessary?

Maintenance of building

Interior

How many total rooms (# of Bedrooms and bathrooms)?

Will your furniture fit in the space? Is there enough storage space? (Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions.)

Is there a fireplace?

Appliances: dishwasher, garbage disposal?

Do the mechanical systems and appliances work?

Is there adequate storage space?

Major Systems. Plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling. A professional inspection of the major systems is recommended for a house that you are interested in purchasing.

Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Ask your real estate agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

Computerized House Hunting

At any moment a complete description of homes you would like to visit are available through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on our website. Select the Home Search Tab.

Here's how it works:

When a house is listed for sale by any area broker, the home's vital statistics are fed into the computer: the lot size; the age and kind of home, style, material, the number, size and use of rooms.

Also included are features (fireplace, walkout deck, patio, wooded lot); equipment (stove. dishwasher, carpeting, etc.); the heating and/or cooling Systems; the water and sewage Systems; the annual taxes.

Your requirements can be fed into the computer: particular neighborhoods; styles of homes; the number and kinds of rooms, and the price range. In minutes the computer makes a quick search among the houses listed, and points out all the houses that meet your criteria.

Charlie and I would be happy to answer any questions, please contact us!