What Are Your Housing NEEDS?

When most people, go, house - hunting, and seek, a home, of their own, they proceed, considering their emotional needs, rather than what their actual NEEDS, might be! Since, for most of us, our house, represents the single - biggest, financial asset, wouldn't it make sense, if we proceeded, in the smartest possible manner, and made wise decisions, rather than, merely, emotional ones? In my, over a decade, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have witnessed, how, many home buyers, are, either, not ready, or unwilling to focus on whether a house, will serve their needs, and priorities, and, rather, become overly attached, or detached, because of some cosmetic, or emotional factor. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, review, consider, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some factors, which wise homeowners, might benefit, by paying far more attention to, and emphasizing.

1. Neighborhood; need: If you don't like the neighborhood, you will probably, never enjoy living somewhere.Wise homeowners walk the area, look around, informally chat with some neighbors, and discover, whether it's a good fit, for them! Does it have what you need, and seek, or, in other words, is there potential?

2. Emphasis: What is your emphasis, and does it serve your best interests? Are you focusing on cosmetic, easily addressed areas, or do you focus on what is most meaningful, and relevant? Don't become overly influenced, by, color schemes, staging, carpets, etc, but, rather, look at the so - called, bones of the home! Become an educated home buyer, rather than merely, an emotional one!

3. Energy: Have the major systems of the house, professionally examined, because these are often, the costly areas, which will have the greatest longer - term impacts (negative or positive)! Is the heating system, modern and efficient, with a better, than average, energy - rating? How expensive are the average heat, electric, etc, monthly bills?

4. Delve deeply: Avoid emotional decisions, either an attachment, or turn - off, until you delve deeply, and discover, what is going on, and whether something is a major issue, or a minor one! Look closely at relevant, construction issues, and pursue the best courses of action, to proceed, with! Consider, whether you are delving deeply, into the best approaches and possibilities, and act wisely!

5. Systems: Have all major systems, closely examined, and considered, in order to discover, both, strengths and weaknesses? Are there any issues, which need addressing, in terms of heating, cooling. roofing, water - proofing, insulation, floors, water system, etc? The more you know, the wiser you can proceed!

Know your housing NEEDS! Prioritize major issues, rather than focusing on minor, and/ or emotional ones!