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Jenna D Amico

How to tell if it’s the right house for you

Luxury home in Houston, TX

This iconic gem was designed by renowned architect John F. Staub for one of Houston’s leading families. It went through an award-winning two-year renovation and expansion program that not only preserved the home’s integrity but also made it feel youthful, joyful, and family-oriented. More details here.

You’ve been looking to buy a new home. You know the amount you can spend, the number of rooms you need, the kind of kitchen you want, and you definitely want a pool.

You’ve been shown houses in Houston, Texas, with a pool and have seen a few that you liked, but you still aren’t sure which, if any of them, to purchase. More than likely you’ve wondered on more than one occasion, “How will I know if it’s the right house?”

While your Houston, Texas, real estate agent can show you properties with features that conform to everything on your wishlist, only you can decide which property suits you best. While there is no magical formula to determine which house to buy, your answers to the following questions will help you make up your mind:

  1. Can I maintain it?

    Your dream home will quickly turn into a nightmare if you are ill-prepared to run it. You might have the money to buy it, but you must also consider the costs of maintaining the house. If you have the money, can you afford the time it takes to oversee repairs, not to mention renovations? When you’re touring properties, consider the fact that heating a home with vaulted ceilings costs more than low ceilings. And, that pool? Yup, there are maintenance costs to consider. If this all looks good, then maybe it is the home for you.

  2. Does it make me feel good?
  3. When you pull up to the house, are you eager to step inside because the exterior is so inviting? And when you enter, does the house make you feel warm and comforting? If so, that’s another good sign.

    The house you’ve set your heart on will then become the standard against which you compare all the other properties on your shortlist. You may find yourself saying things like, “This is nice, but the house with Mediterranean home design had tile floors and a much better layout.” Or you may compare neighborhoods and find all others wanting. If so, then the house that’s become your yardstick may be the house you should buy.

  4. Will you be at home to enjoy its best features?
  5. Decide on a home based on how you currently live, not how you think you’ll live in the future. No one can know what’s going to happen down the road.

    Buying a home with a gorgeous view won’t do you much good if you aren’t going to be home during the day to see it.

    If you work in an office or do field work most days, it’s more important that you love what’s inside – it will certainly be more important to you than the view. Make sure the rooms you use a lot of are the most welcoming when you come home at the end of the day.

  6. Are you comfortable walking into the bathroom?
  7. While it’s not the best way to buy a house, it does mean something if you don’t feel weird in the bathroom. Some people just stand in the doorway, poke their heads in, and go no further. If you’re one of these people and you find a home where you want to walk into the bathroom to check out the fixtures, then this could be your house.

  8. Do you imagine yourself living in the house?
  9. Luxurious home interior

    Is this something you’d like to come home to at the end of the day? View house details here.

    When you find yourself deciding on paint colors, floors, curtains, etc. or thinking about how to arrange your furniture in each room, it’s a pretty good bet that you’ve found your home. When you start telling your spouse where you’d

    like to put the antique knick-knack case Grandma left you and assigning a room to each child, you may have found your house. Being able to see yourself living in that home is a good way to know if the house for you.

  10. Do you keep finding reasons to buy it?
  11. If you find yourself talking about the home with anyone who’ll listen and pointing out its best features, that’s a clue right there. When you catch yourself thinking about checking the master bedroom one more time, or bugging your agent to schedule another viewing, that probably means that you’re already smitten. That’s a pretty strong sign that this is where you want to live.

  12. Do you feel just as strongly about the house even after you’ve given yourself time to think about it?
  13. No house is perfect, but your Houston area Realtor will help you find the perfect house for you. When you find the home that’s exactly right, should you make an offer right away? Yes, if the market is very active. If not, take some time to think about it. If the house is just as alluring to you after a few days, then go make an offer. If all goes well, the seller will accept, and you’ll be on your way to purchasing your new home. Congratulations!

If you’re ready to find your dream home in Houston, get in touch with Jenna D’Amico. She’ll help you identify your best real estate options. Call 832.381.4121 or send an email to jenna(at)jennadamico(dotted)com today!