Finding just the right house is something many buyers never experience. And finding two houses you love is an enviable position to be in. But it can also involve an agonizing decision and not a little anxiety and uncertainty when it comes down to choosing between the two. As a buyer, you don’t want to make the wrong decision in this big step and probably the largest financial transaction of your life. Read on, then, to find out how to choose between two houses when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas.
Location
When you’re buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas or anywhere else, location is going to be one of the most important considerations. And location can be the deciding factor when you’re trying to choose between two suitable houses.
“One of the reasons location is so vital is that you want your home’s value to grow over time. Even a great home might not appreciate as well in a less ideal area. A beautiful home overbuilt for the neighborhood is going to have a hard time appraising, a hard time maintaining value and can be a poor investment long term.”
Then there are other important aspects of the location you need to consider in making your decision:
- Proximity to undesirable things such as a railroad or landfill
- Proximity to your place of employment for an easy commute
- Nearby amenities like shops and restaurants
- Quality of the local schools
- The degree of seclusion you desire
Cost and Value
Certainly, the cost will be an important factor when you’re buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas and trying to decide between two likely ones. But you can’t consider cost in a vacuum – you also have to take into account the value.
Even if the two houses are almost exactly alike, in the same condition, in very similar locations, and are priced the same, one will always present a better deal. One, for example, will promise better appreciation and so will be a better value when everything else is equal.
Value, though, may be difficult to assess for many buyers. That’s why it’s always a good idea to consult your Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas agent on this matter. To discover more, just call 917-608-7277.
Lifestyle Suitability
Also, in choosing between two houses when buying a house inWestfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas, you should think carefully about your lifestyle needs and which house will be a better fit. The question to ask is this: Which house better suits my and my family’s current lifestyle.
If, for example, you like to entertain, you’ll need the room and features that will accommodate your entertaining. If you love yard work and gardening and have a lot of equipment, you’ll need plenty of outdoor space and outbuildings. And if a home office is essential for your work, you’ll need a spare bedroom to convert into that office.
A careful consideration of your lifestyle needs will go a long way toward helping you choose the right house.
Condition
And don’t forget to factor in condition when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas. Houses that are very similar in every other respect are seldom in the same condition.
One of the two houses you’re considering may be move-in ready, but the other may require some work first. Your particular circumstances and budget will then determine which one is best for you.
Another thing to keep in mind in this regard is that a house’s condition can’t always be determined by considering the surface appearance alone. But many buyers make their decision when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas almost solely on the basis of the way it looks. That attractive appearance, though, could be hiding major structural flaws.
Be sure, then, to listen to both the inspector and your agent when it comes to the condition of the houses you’re choosing between.
Features and Amenities
Of course, making your decision when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas will depend in large part on which one has the most features and amenities on both your wants and needs lists. Here’s what industry pros advise in this regard . . .
“The property might not have every amenity on your want list, but maybe it meets the basic requirements, such as the number of rooms and amount of space you need. Maybe it doesn’t have a garage, and you realize in a flash of enlightenment that buying a house with a garage is really not that important after all. You realize that you could build a garage if it turns out that you really do want one. Sudden urges to be flexible are good signs that you’re in the right place.”
Keep Emotion Out of Buying a House in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas
Finally, one of the best things you can do in making your decision is to keep emotion out of it and make an objective assessment and a rational decision. You need to consider only the facts about the houses because the facts are what will last, not your feelings and emotions.
But keeping emotion out of the equation is a hard thing to do for most of us. That’s why it’s so important to lean on your local real estate agent’s expertise and assessment. Your Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas agent can gather the facts you’ll need and can help you remain objective in your decision-making.
So if you want to make the right choice when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas, contact us today at 917-608-7277.