3 things to consider when buying a house
For many, home ownership is viewed as an aspirational goal that signifies success. For others it can simply be a desire for a place to call their own. Whatever the motivations for wanting to cross the threshold into home ownership, preparing for the process of buying is just as important as being prepared to maintain the home itself.
Buying a house can be frustrating especially when you’re not sure how to approach the process or where to start. Before jumping into your home buying search, here’s 3 things to consider when buying a house:
Don’t look for perfection
The perfect house does not exist. Even if you decide to build the house yourself there will always be compromises that need to be made or a goal post that needs to be moved. Holding out for the “perfect house” will only lead to decision paralysis and push you further away from buying a home.
Instead of looking for perfection, figure out what realistic features and qualities are most important from an ideal home and which ones are a ‘nice to have’. Once there is a clearly defined list of must have qualities, tailor the search for a home to that. Whilst there may be some compromises when buying the ideal home, at least the must haves will be met.
Be decisive not impulsive
The difference between being decisive and being impulsive is, one action is based on a predefined and well throughout process and the other is based on emotion. It’s easy to let emotion take over and impulsively land into bidding wars when you think you’ve found the “perfect house”. In reality impulsive decision making leads to paying more for a house than necessary or deviating from the “must have” qualities and a home that does not meet your needs.
Instead, make a decision to buy a house based on the predefined list of ‘must have’ features and qualities. This will guarantee that the decision to buy a house has been well thought out
Be prepared to walk away
Whilst a home may initially appear to meet the predefined list of must have features and qualities, as you move through the buying process it is possible that the desired house no long fits into that category. This could be in terms of higher offers being made that are outside of your budget or hidden dealbreakers coming to light further down the line.
Most people fail at negotiating because they are not prepared to walk away from a deal that no longer meets their needs. Buying a home is no different. Negotiating is an art and the art of negotiating is being prepared to walk away from a purchase that does not meet your ‘must have’ features and qualities yet being assured that another will come along.
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