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You’ve decided you’re ready to settle down and buy your forever home. You’re not planning to move again, so you want to make sure the house you buy is as close to perfect for you as it can get. Below, we’ll give you some tips on what to keep in mind when you’re searching for your forever home. 

Location, location, location 

You can change a lot of things about a house, but where it’s located isn’t one of them. When looking for your forever home, take stock of what is really important to you when it comes to location. Is it being close to your workplace or shopping and parks? Do you prefer a quieter neighborhood with no traffic noise? How are the schools in the area? These are all things you need to keep in mind when you’re scouting out a potential home. 

Check your budget 

One of the first things you’ll need to do when looking for a new home is know your budget. When buying a forever home, most people are upgrading from a starter home and want to get more features in their new home. Make sure that you can afford all the things you want in a new house. If you’re planning to stay there for a long time, a huge mortgage could have a big impact on the rest of your finances. 

Choose the right layout 

When you’re house hunting, think about your lifestyle and what type of layout would best suit your needs. If you have young children, a master bedroom on the first floor while the rest of the bedrooms are on the second floor may not be ideal. If you plan on staying in the house for many years, you’ll want to consider what type of floor plan will be accessible for you as you grow older. If you love to entertain, an open layout with a large kitchen and family room area might be a feature that you can’t do without. Keep these types of things in mind when you’re looking at potential homes. 

Lawn and landscaping care 

It’s important to consider how much upkeep your lawn and landscaping will require when looking for your forever home. If you enjoy doing work outdoors and gardening, a home with a large yard and lots of landscaping may be a great fit. If you don’t think you can manage mowing a large yard or raking leaves from lots of trees on your property, you may want to consider looking for a house with less outdoor work. Try to be honest with yourself about how much landscaping and yard work you’re willing to do during your house search. 

Renovations and décor 

You probably know that when looking at a home, you shouldn’t let an odd paint color or outdated fixtures keep you from buying the house if you still like most of the other things about it. But when you’re looking for your forever home, be honest about how much work you’re willing to do. You may want a house that’s move-in ready and doesn’t require a lot of updates to make it feel like home. On the other hand, you may be willing to do the work to make it just right. Make sure that you also keep your budget in mind when deciding how much work you’re willing to take on. If you plan on making a lot of changes, budget more funds for renovations.  

Be patient and open-minded 

If you’re serious about finding a forever home, know that it may take some time to find just the right house. If your intention is to not move again, you want to be certain that the house you buy is going to offer everything you need now and in the future. Sometimes it may take months before you find the right home for you. 

Also know that in order to find that perfect house, you may have to keep an open mind. Of course, you’ll have things that you won’t budge on, but keeping an open mind about layouts or features in the house may actually help you find your forever home sooner. 

Finding your forever home is a big decision, but with the tips above, you can identify your wants and needs and find the perfect home.