Finding the perfect house is a lot like finding the perfect partner or spouse. There’s always risk involved, and perfect often turns out to be, well, not quite so perfect. But if you know what to look for, take your time, and put in the effort and have the right expectations, success is a lot more likely. Finding the perfect home is usually a lot easier than finding the perfect spouse, especially with these 8 tips to find your perfect house in Cincinnati.
1. Do Some Homework and Know Your Needs and Goals
If you really do want to find your perfect house in Cincinnati, then you’ll first need a good understanding of your needs and goals, especially with respect to where you want to live. Your perfect house located in the wrong area could turn out to be a disaster.
Some needs and goals you might want to consider are: how long do you plan on living in the property? What kind of resale value do you need? A house in Hyde Park is going to have a lot more resale value currently than a home in Felicity, OH where there is less demand. These are good high level issues to discuss.
2. Search for Style and Fit First
Next, consider what style of home of would be the best fit for you. Do you want a detached single-family home with all the maintenance chores that entails, or would you be happier in a sleek, modern penthouse apartment or condo? There are pros and cons to each. So, be sure you understand exactly what would fit your needs.
3. Know What You Can Afford
One of the important early steps to find your perfect house in Cincinnati is to determine exactly what you can afford by getting pre-approved for a loan. Beyond what the bank is willing to lend you, you’ll need to take into account your existing debt and other monthly payments. Buying the perfect Cincinnati house means staying within your means. Before you go shopping and fall in love with a dream home, make sure you talk to a lender to know what you can afford.
4. Stay Within Your Budget
Then, when you get down to actual house hunting, you need to make sure you stay within your budget. Usually, this means that you should not start by looking at houses at the top of your price range because you may wind up taking on a mortgage that is just too heavy a financial burden. Many people make the mistake of buying too much house. Don’t be that person!
5. Look Past the Flaws
An important tip to find your perfect house in Cincinnati is to look past the house’s flaws. Focus instead on the features you like and try to see the potential in the flaws. You don’t want to pass up what could easily become your dream home with just a little effort.
6. Look Repeatedly
And another very important tip to find your perfect house in Cincinnati is to look more than once – even though at first viewing the house may seem perfect. You’ll notice different things and things you may have missed on the second and third time around. A good agent will be happy to take you through the house multiple times to make sure it’s the right one.
Once you know, make sure you have a strategy and a game plan for moving forward. If you need to sell your current house to buy a new one, speak with your agent and do your research. You don’t want to be stuck with two mortgages.
7. Check Out the Neighborhood
And keep in mind that a house is perfect for you only if the neighborhood is too. You’ll probably live in the home for many years, so you need to be as happy with the neighborhood as you are with the house. So drive around, walk around, ask around, and check online. Do the schools, amenities, and neighbors suit you?
8. Look Toward the Future
The final, and perhaps most important, way to ensure you find your perfect house in Cincinnati is by carefully considering the future. That house may seem perfect now, but will it still be perfect when you add two children to your family? Or what if you decide to put in that huge in-ground pool you’ve always wanted, but the backyard is too small.?
Now that you know the 8 tips to find your perfect house in Cincinnati, you won’t have to endure any painful, fruitless blind dates, house-wise, that is. The opportunities are definitely out there, and with the right approach, you can find the house that meets your needs.
At Team Sztanyo, we are helping families find their way home. To find your perfect Cincinnati house, give us a call and put us to work for you!