But if you try sometimes, you just might find… you get what you need. (The Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want)
You know when I bought my first home with my husband over 20 years ago, the place we bought needed work. The kitchen, bathroom and laundry were pretty average. Sure we could have renovated but we both worked 6 days a week and barely had anytime to ourselves.
Then many many years later I bought on my own. The place isn’t perfect and it is smaller than I would have liked. I do however love the location and more importantly, it is my home. Not a landlords, just mine! And I am grateful for that every single day.
Remember, no home is perfect. No home will ever have everything you want, even if you build it or had unlimited money. There is always something better around the corner, but that something better may be a lot more expensive.
You need to know what you are prepared to compromise on so you don’t miss out altogether and are still renting months and months later.
Knowing what something is worth and what the maximum amount is you should pay can be incredibly overwhelming.
And going from one place to another never really liking any, can be time consuming and these days incredibly costly in fuel.
Being particular is one thing, but missing out completely and not being able to buy anywhere near where you want, because the market has moved up so much can be a very costly mistake financially.
So before you even start looking spending endless hours inspecting properties, know what you want, what you like and what you don’t like.
Some questions to ask yourself about what you want in a home.
- What do you like about and don’t like about where you live now? Is there something you would change?
- Would you like to continue near where you are living now? Or would you prefer to live somewhere else?
- Is there something that works particularly well for you in your current property?
- Are you happy to renovate or at least make some improvements?
- What are you prepared to compromise on so you are no longer stuck renting?
- Do you need a big outdoor area or a small outdoor area?
- Is location important to you? Do you need to be close to shops or transport or maybe family or friends?
- Do you love coming home at the end of the day to where you are living now? Does it have all the amenities you need?
- What do you really wish you had in your current place?
- What can’t you wait to not have to put up with anymore?
- What is the first thing you want to do when you are finally in your own home and not someone else’s?
Also be aware of the location you want to be in and of course the price.
- Some areas like the inner city generally have smaller terrace homes on smaller land.
- When you get further away from the city and into the suburbs you might be able to afford a larger home on bigger land.
- Do you need more space around you or more amenities, like cafes and restaurants?
- Is location the number 1 priority, is the home, or is it so you no longer have to rent?
- Would you be prepared to buy a townhouse or an apartment to be in the area you want to own your own home in?
And of course remember price will likely have a big influence on what you end up buying. And if you take too long, there is a very good chance you will no longer be able to buy what you want or where you want.
Talk to people and investigate areas
- Visit friends and family to decide what works for you or doesn’t work for you in their homes
- Have conversations with people. Do your research. Talk to family and friends.
- Consider your budget. Can afford to pay more or are you governed by what the bank is prepared to pay you?
- Are you a home buyer who wants a 2 bedroom or a 3 bedroom?
- Are you buying on your own and only need a 1 bedroom but might need some extra space, like a dining area?
- Is the land size not as important as proximity to the shops and transport?
- Are you craving a quieter lifestyle or do you love the hustle and bustle?
- Is the demographic important? What type of people live in the area? Are they younger, older, families, singles or a mix?
Be strategic in your looking, have a plan and if that all seems to hard then reach out to someone who can help you. That may be a professional like myself or a friend.
As Dorothy says. “There is no place like home!” And sometimes, it is not just about the place but what you can make it into once you finally move into your own home. Because sometimes you might not get what you want, but you very well could get exactly what you need!
If you are still don’t know what to do or where to start, reach out to learn how we can make the whole stressful buying process a lot easier and effortless for you.
Until next time, be safe, be happy and love where you live!
Warm regards,
Melinda
