Young, Married, Future Homebuyers

Home Searching 

It might seem impossible. We have been on the home search for some time now. It has been an up and down process. There have been several homes and houses visited. These all have been amongst various price points. One thing we have learned through it all is that it is hard. The homes are expensive. We have combed through all the different types of homes. We have considered townhomes, single family homes, and duplexes even. All of them have had their pros and cons. The main mission is finding something that works for us. The factors that determine our home search are the location, size, cost, and quality. The goal is for us to find something that intersects amongst those four categories. 

Let's start with location. 

The location of our home may dictate our commute times and could result in higher costs of transportation. We also do not want to move too far away from what we currently know and love. The further away we move out the more we have to adjust to. That pushes us more to what is comfortable. We want to be in a location that is easier for us. When it comes to home buying we have to consider location. We may find something we love that is within the price range, at a good size, and has great build quality. Sometimes this could result in us having to commute around an extra hour to make it home. 

Next we can discuss the size. 

The size of our future home has a few different meanings. One of the things we want is a yard and to be detached from our neighbors. That means that we would not necessarily choose a townhome as our first option, but we are not entirely opposed to a townhome either. When we look at new homes, in a specific price range, and that are closer to our ideal areas. It causes us to sacrifice space. Homes may be smaller or in many cases skinnier. These “skinnier” homes are homes that have been built more vertical and less horizontal. For us size and space is an important factor. 

Let’s not forget the cost. 

Our main goal is not to break the bank. While in that process, we do not want to sacrifice any of the other previous factors we have considered. As we all know, the homes in this market are extremely expensive. The market is not designed for those who even have a median annual income. That is not to say that homebuying is completely impossible. In many cases, it takes some sacrifices. For instance, the average single family home in densely populated areas is going for well over the price that it has been in previous years. Many builders are building townhomes and “tall skinnies”. These types of homes allow the price to come down while sacrificing space. Another pro is that you are able to stay within your desired location radius. 

The most important piece is quality.

In this market many homes are sprouting up out of thin air. Houses are taking on average 6-9 months. That's from the first shovel in the ground to the first turn of the key. We have had to consider quality on many occasions. To be quite honest we have seen properties where everything is perfect and it crosses all the boxes, but the quality of the build is lackluster to say the best. What does that mean for us? That means that a builder could charge the cost of a brand new home with half the effort. Many houses are built with the idea that if the buyer wants it at a better quality they should be willing to do that themselves. 

Final Thoughts

Now do not get me wrong. There are homes that have the intersection of cost, location, quality, and size. So the search is not futile, but it should not be at the current difficulty level. My advice from future home buyers is to remember the “why”. Why are you searching for a home? To grow a life, to build equity, or to invest. Whatever that may be it does not really matter if we skip over the most important thing. That is to have fun. Enjoy the process. Do not let the stresses of searching for a home take the joy from it. Do not become pessimistic. See it as a gift and a blessing. Not as something that should be done out of remorse. Have fun and enjoy the life you will and now have!