Page 49 - HBG 2019-watermarked

LET THE HUNT BEGIN!

+ bonus “House Hunting” checklist

Starting your Search
On your own or with an agent, draw up a list of what you are looking for in
terms of size, location, and specific features. Include obvious qualifications
like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, finished basement, and total
square footage. It may also be helpful to write down things that are deal-
breakers for you.
Aside from the size and layout of the home, there are many other things that
you should take note of before deciding if the home will work for you.
‹ Location: What is important to you in terms of location? Are you looking
for a neighborhood with school-age children or an older community? Is
there a specific Shul you would like to attend? Is it important to be in close
proximity to shopping centers? Are the people in the neighborhood a good
fit for your family?
‹ When assessing features that you don’t like, evaluate whether or not
they are able to be modified. While you cannot change things such as
location, you may be willing to invest in some construction or decorating
to update features such as outdated bathrooms and kitchens.

‹ Differentiate between needs and wants. No house will have everything
you wish for, so prioritize your list for what you really need, and acknowledge
that you may need to give up on some of your “wants.”
‹ Check out the sun exposure in the home. When and where does the
house get sunlight? How are the windows situated? Does the block have
many trees or does the house have direct sunlight? This will impact both
quality of life, as well as utilities. For example, an end-unit townhouse will

2020 Lakewood Home Buyer’s Guide | 49