This is going to be so much fun! My daughter has decided to leave her house behind, and I have decided to keep mine and do an addition in the spring. When you’re getting ready to leave your house behind, you want to have a clear idea of what you are looking for in your new home.
Take the time to write down all the things you want in a house. Like, a basement, bonus room, two living rooms, a chef’s kitchen, glamour bath, new roof, or new HVAC. Whatever it is, you want to make sure you keep these priorities in mind. Another big thing to consider is the neighborhood and schools. Moving is hard work and very expensive. Think about both things before you fall in love with your next house.
When I bought my house, I bought it solely because it was in the school district I needed, and I could afford it. When I showed it to my girls, they cried because it was so ugly. But I knew the potential and I truly love my house. By the way it is 954 sq feet, the original tiny house!
One really big thing to consider when buying a house is the condition of the kitchen and the bathrooms. These are hard remodels and takes a lot out of you and can really test the family. Consider what a new or newer kitchen will cost in your new home and what it takes to do a remodel. The master bath is another hard one to go though. And if you only have one bath, you’re going to be checking out an airbnb or hotel for a couple of weeks!
For those of you who choose a remodel, you will get all the bells and whistles you’ve been dreaming of and it will be exactly the way you want it. But you have to know yourself and what you can handle. My daughter, not a major remodeling fan, is going for the house that is already updated. Me, I am a remodeling fan and love to get creative working in small spaces and older homes. My house was built in 1953, plaster walls and the washer and dryer used to sit in the kitchen. If you do choose a remodel, one thing that would help a lot is going through the house with your designer…first! An experienced designer will be able to look at a house and tell you if walls can be moved, if there are issues with plumbing and how the new kitchen or bath will layout. Don’t wait to ask the question after you buy, ask before!
On the flip side, a few successful ways to approach house hunting, look with an open mind, look at house styles that are different styles than you may think you would like, and if you are using a realtor, ask them a ton of questions. Use your resources and know what you are looking for.