Congratulations! You’re buying a new home! And it’s both such an exciting and nerve-racking time!

But if you ask yourself the right questions ahead of time, your house purchase can be so much easier.

Here are five things to ponder:

1. Am I ready?

The decision to buy a new house is a big one and it can cause a lot of stress if you’re not prepared for all of the ups and downs.

Prepare ahead of time by reading about the process and talk it over with your lender and  real estate agent.

Knowing what to expect is half the battle.

2. What can I afford?

Price is most likely the number one factor in your decision-making process. You must determine what you can realistically afford to pay for a house and stick to that budget.

Have an honest look at your finances and decide how much you can really pay. You can also use a mortgage calculator to help you figure out the monthly payments.

3. Where do I want to live?

While you probably already know which city you want to live in, choosing a location within that city can sometimes be challenging.

You can figure it out by asking yourself a few key questions: Do I want to live downtown? In the suburbs? Close to parks? Work? Schools?

Once you have a good idea of where you want to live, check out that area to get a feel for the neighborhood and the types of houses that are in it.

4. Where will I be in five years?

It’s generally a good idea to buy a house that you plan to stay in for at least five years. So if you can buy a house that fits with your life plan, you are definitely ahead of the game.

For example, you may be planning to have children, and a house with three or more bedrooms makes sense for you. Or maybe you’ll soon be an empty-nester and a smaller house is right for you.

It’s a certainty that your life situation will change over time, so finding a house that fits these changes is ideal.

5. Which style of house is right for me?

There is such a huge variety of house styles that it can be confusing to find THE right one for you.

Do some research and have a look at the different house styles available. It’s also a good idea to physically see some houses to help you make the right decision.

Once you narrow down your choices, then finding your dream home will be easy!

Here at Fink and McGregor, we are with you every step of the way and are happy to help you in your decision-making process. Give us a call today and let us know how we can help.