3 Ways You'll Know if it's "The One"

At offer time, buyers are always fearful of making a bad purchase, facing "buyer's remorse", or just getting into the wrong property.  Just like any other major purchase, you'll never know what the future will hold but you can take steps to ensure your homebuying success.  Below are three easy ways to know that it's "the one".

1)  Does it fit the majority of your needs?
The first thing I do before I even begin to search for homes is make sure all buyers are on the same page for their wants and needs.  Remember, needs have priorities over wants.  Needs are requirements that are deal-breakers, like number of bedrooms or bathrooms, square footage, location to schools or jobs.  Wants are things that can be easily fixed or solved with little or no effort like paint colors, landscaping and the like.  Wants are usually debatable, or non-deal breakers.  I usually tell couples to pick 10 'must haves' and if you get 7 of those, buy it.

2)  Is it within your budget?
One of the biggest regrets of new buyers is biting off a little more than they can chew.  Keep in mind that on top of your mortgage you may have mortgage insurance, HOA dues, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and utilities.  Make sure you understand how far your dollar will stretch and just what your total monthly payment you'll have.  It doesn't do you any good to be in a big, expensive house, if you're just struggling to get by that you can't enjoy anything else in life.  The happiest homebuyers buy within their budget and understand ALL the money involved.

3)  Does it feel like home?
If you're able to check off the first two points, you're in great shape, but how does the home feel?  If it doesn't feel like home, it may never feel like home.  A great sign that it feels like YOUR home is if you start picturing your furniture fitting in each room or picturing which rooms your family will enjoy the most.  If the picture you have in your head is confusing, then it might not be the home for you.  If you can imagine yourself being happy in the home, chances are your dreams will come true.

Keep these three issues in mind when starting off on your next home purchase.  Keep this in mind too...If you're still not happy with your home within the first six months, I'll sell your home without taking a commission and help you find that next great home that you are happy with.