There may be many reasons to search for a new home. A new job, a milestone in your life like a marriage or a baby on the way, or maybe you’re just looking for a change. Whatever your reason, today’s market choices give a lot of options to consider when buying a home in a new neighborhood, a new city, or even a new province. But no matter where you're headed, it's important to be sure that it's a suitable place for you and your household. Here are five key criteria that your new home should meet:
1. Affordability
Using rate comparison websites, you can find out in an instant what the best mortgage rates are right now – fixed or variable, closed or open. Before you begin your search, try tools like rate calculators that can help you answer a wide range of questions about what you can afford, from maximum home prices and loan amounts to land transfer taxes and CMHC premiums. Don't go into negotiations with the seller without these numbers!
2. Local amenities
If you're moving somewhere completely new, you need to plan how to adjust your daily routines. Where will you buy groceries? What kinds of services are available nearby? Where do your potential neighbors go if they want a decent cup of coffee? If local parks are important to you, how close are they? Take some time to explore your potential new neighborhood and learn what it has to offer.
3. Amenities at home
Of course, wherever you end up living, you'll spend most of your time within your own home. Make a list of what your new home absolutely needs: number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, types of common rooms, square footage, garage, outdoor space. Figure out early what's nice and what's a must-have so you can find the best long-term fit.
4. Quality of schools
If you have children, or if you're planning to have children soon, you'll want to be sure that you're raising them in a location with excellent educational options. School Digger https://www.schooldigger.com/ offers performance-based rankings of elementary and secondary schools, public and private. This will help you narrow down neighbourhoods during your home search.
5. Safety
If anything matters as much for your kids as the quality of their education, it's the safety of their surroundings. Statistics Canada breaks down crime across Canada's major metro areas by type and severity. Feel free to look up how your desired location fares to assure yourself that you're making the right choice.
With these considerations in mind, start your search by looking over your potential new home against these priorities and go into home buying with confidence knowing your options.
Bob Abner is a highly respected, top producing, full time, Realtor for over 30 years and is an expert in the Northern Kentucky real estate market.
Give Bob a call at 859-760-1660
Email Bob at BAbner@huff.com
Visit Bob's Website: http://www.bobabner.com
No comments:
Post a Comment