How to Choose a House That Suits Your Lifestyle

There’s more to choosing the perfect home than simply picking the first house that fits your budget or finding one with the right number of bedrooms. Selecting a home goes beyond practicality; this purchase will most likely the biggest of your life and sets the stage for many memorable events. You’ll need to find a house that appeals to your sense of style, your geographical preferences and even to your vision of the future.

Working with an experienced realtor who knows the neighborhoods will help you to make a more informed decision. However, before you even begin searching for appropriate housing, make sure you consider the following items which will help you choose a home that fits with your lifestyle.

1. What Are your Geographical Preferences?

Are there any spots in Denver where you feel the happiest? Maybe there’s a neighborhood close to a park that brings back childhood memories, or it might be  important to be close to good schools for your kids. Figuring out where you feel at peace will help you to determine what kind of neighborhood best suits you.

It’s also worth doing research into crime rates and home appreciation statistics in various areas. You might discover that some neighborhoods have better resale history than others. This can be especially  handy if you’re planning to sell in the near future. For everything you need to know about moving to Denver check out this helpful moving guide from Bellhops.

2. Consider your Commute and Access to Everyday Essentials

Remember, in addition to looking for an attractive location, you’ll also need to weigh the following:

• Outside noise. Is the home on a busy street or intersection? Is there an airport or commercial properties close by? What’s the parking situation?
• Character of the neighborhood. Are there primarily single people in the area or is it comprised on families? Is the home close to an area where people routinely congregate (school, church, park, etc.)?
• Public transportation. If you are planning to commute, is the home near the bus line or light rail station? If not, is there available parking near the public transportation center?

Choosing the right location for your new home is complicated. While it might be tempting to choose a location that’s close to one of Denver’s amazing attractions, you may quickly regret that decision when you discover that the morning roads are gridlocked or there are parking challenges.

On the flip side, buying a house that’s in a remote location may lighten the noise and traffic, but it could also mean that you have to drive further to reach a local grocery store and not have neighbors to help out in an emergency.

3. Nearby Amenities

Finding a house to suit your lifestyle means more than simply choosing a property with adequate bedrooms and a backyard for the kids. You’ll also need to consider the features of the house. If spending time around the pool during the summer is a priority, is the home located close to a recreation center or athletic club? If you’re an avid cyclist, you might want to consider buying a home that’s close to a bike trail. If you love the nightlife, would you prefer to live in an condo or townhouse that’s close to the city? If you have a green thumb, is there enough room for a garden or patio plants? Make sure your home allows you access to the activities that give you pleasure.

4. Be Realistic

There’s a good chance that you’ll start shopping for your new home with a clear vision of how much space you need. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get carried away when looking for a new property, and end up focusing on the extras, rather than the “must-haves.”

Take a moment to think about whether the home is really suited to your lifestyle or just your vision of what you’d like your lifestyle to be. For instance, you might love the idea of having a big backyard where your children and pets can run around in their free time – but do you have enough time to maintain that yard or the expendable income to have someone do it for you?

Examine the floor plan and determine if the house will meet your needs. Will all the rooms be used? If you’re planning to add on, is there enough space?

5. Don’t Forget your Budget

Finally, try not to get carried away until you’ve made absolutely sure that you can afford the house of your dreams. Before you start thinking about decorating your home, think about the various expenses that go into buying a new property. Remember, it’s not just your mortgage that you need to consider, but your down payment, your energy bills, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes and home maintenance.

Prior to searching for a home, it’s a good idea to sit down with your budget and determine how much you can reasonably afford to pay for a new home. This will prevent you from looking for a house that suits the lifestyle you wish you had, rather than the one your can afford.

If you’re moving on a budget, then it’s worth checking out our friends at Bellhops. This moving startup has been revolutionizing the industry since it was founded in 2011 as a way to help college students move into their new campus accommodations. Since that time, they have been innovating the moving process by developing the nation’s first tech enabled moving platform in 2013, which makes the moving process much easier.

At Usaj Realty, we are committed to helping you find a house that is perfect for you and your lifestyle. Please give us a shout at info@usajrealtystg.wpenginepowered.com and we’d be more than happy to help!

(This blog was written by Micheal Brennan of Bellhops, a moving company. Whether to need help with a cross-town or cross-country move, give Bellhops a call).