Whether you’re a first time home buyer or a seasoned veteran, purchasing a home is always a huge investment. It is important to have clarity about what you are searching for in a home before you start touring houses.  Sometimes options can be overwhelming; the homes in Locust Grove and the surrounding area are varied in size, style, and location.  Below are some questions to ask yourself that will help you determine exactly what type of home you need.

How long will I live here?

You may find that one of the many homes in Locust Grove is your dream house and you plan on living in it forever.  On the other hand, you may know that your job is going to transfer you to in a couple years.  Knowing how long you plan on living in a home can influence the home you purchase.

  • For home buyers that do not plan on staying very long, it will be important to purchase a home that will build equity quickly so that when you sell it in a few years you will have some profit from your investment.  You will want to purchase a home that will be easier to resell too.  Think about a traditional three bedroom and two bathroom homes in Locust Grove versus an A-frame.  While the A-frame is charming and unique, chances are you will have to wait longer for a buyer than you would for the traditional home. 
  • If you plan on living in the home for a very long time, then you might be more willing to take on a home that needs work.  You will be able to change the home into exactly what you need over time.

What are three things you cannot compromise? 

Everyone has must have features in a home.  It might be a separate home office because you work from home, four bedrooms for your family members, or a primary bedroom on the first floor.  If one of the homes in Locust Grove doesn’t have these features then it is not the one for you.  Shorten your list of homes to tour by sticking with these must haves.  However, you should also be willing to compromise in other areas.  For example, you can add the fence to the backyard or repaint the family room to a color of your choice.  

How far do you want to drive? 

It’s important to think about how accessible you would like everyday amenities to be in relation to your home.  Do you prefer living in a rural area where your only neighbors are trees or do you want to be within a ten minute drive to the grocery store?  Take some time to investigate the neighborhoods and areas that interest you.  Think about how long it will take to get to work, school, or the store.  There are many homes in Locust Grove that are a short distance from a store while others are more rural.

Are you willing or able to complete home improvements? 

Often homes in Locust Grove that are listed below market value are making a compromise for the condition of the home.  While the price may be enticing when you are looking at a listing online, consider whether you want to do all home improvements.  Some home buyers are comfortable ripping down walls, replacing bathrooms, or changing flooring, others are ready to paint or replace a faucet, and some need a move-in ready property.

How much do I want to spend? 

Before you begin searching for homes in Locust Grove or anywhere, you need to talk with a mortgage lender to determine your budget.  Typically, a lender will tell you what your maximum amount for purchasing a home will be.  But, that doesn’t mean you have to spend that amount.  Ask your lender to provide you with an estimated monthly mortgage payment amount to help you determine the price range of homes that you feel comfortable considering.  Keep in mind that if you want to go with a home that needs improvements, then you have to be able to pay for those improvements in addition to making a monthly mortgage payment.

Thinking about the answers to these questions should help to provide you with the clarity you need while searching among the homes in Locust Grove.