While we usually think about buyer’s remorse for small purchases like a new pair of pants or a meal out at a new restaurant, did you know there’s such thing as buyer’s remorse when buying a home? Committing to a home is a big decision. This is a place you’ll be spending the next few years of your life, if not longer. You want to make sure it’s the right place for you.

 

What should you love before you buy a home? While you might be able to do away with the wall color, the weird bathroom tile, or even the pool in the backyard, there are some things you should love about your home before you buy. Here are 5 things you should love before you put in an offer.

 

 

Things to love about your home | living room open house

 

 

1. Square Footage

The first thing you need to love is the size of the house. As we said before, some things aren’t too complicated to change. While it’s true you can add onto the home, this is no easy task. Building an additional room or transforming a garage into a living space takes time and money, and you might be limited to a smaller lot.

 

If your home is too small, it’s easy to quickly outgrow the space. If it’s too big it can be expensive to pay for energy costs and you might not be able to afford to furnish it fully. There needs to be a balance that you strike between too big and too small. Because you’ll be in this home for a while, think about the future. If you’re planning to have kids soon, more space might make sense. Either way, make sure it’s a size you can live with in the long-term.

 

 

2. Location

You could make an argument for adding more square footage to a home, but you definitely can’t ever change the location. You know what they say…real estate is all about location, location, location. There’s a reason this is drilled into us so often. Frankly put, the location matters.

 

Do you like the location? Is it close to things you need like grocery stores and entertainment? These are things you need to be happy with before you decide on a home. It could be the home of your dreams, but if you’re too far from your friends, family, and the things you like to do, it might not be a good fit.

 

 

3. Commute

Similar to the location above, how far is your new home from your place of work? The average commute time in the U.S. is 26 minutes. If your drive time will leave you sitting in traffic for hours a day, this might not be the best place for you. Different people have different tolerance levels for their commute time, so make sure this is a distance you’re comfortable traveling twice a day.

 

 

4. Neighborhood

Another question to ask is whether you like the neighborhood. While it’s true that neighborhoods evolve and change over time, make sure this is a neighborhood that’s not only good today but is likely to be good in the future.

 

A great way to check the neighborhood other than visiting yourself is to view insights online. Look for local neighborhood review, crime reports, and more. This is the best way to know just what you’re getting into with your new neighborhood.

 

 

5. Price

Last but not least, make sure you love the price. Of course, most people probably won’t love their mortgage payment, but make sure this is a number you can actually afford. Too many people purchase homes that are too expensive, and this is an easy way to put yourself in a bad financial situation.

 

Before making an offer, calculate all of the costs and be reasonable. You need a home that you can afford not just today but also in the future. Can you afford this home if you suddenly lost your job? If you had kids in the near future? Basically, think through your options before committing to your home.

 

 

Choose the Right Home for You

Are you ready to choose the right home for you? It’s hard to not fall in love with the properties that seem to have the best curb appeal, but keep these 5 things in mind. These are things that you can’t easily change, so you’ll want to make sure they’re a good fit for you.

 

Finding a home is often a lifestyle choice more than an aesthetic choice. You can change the style elements, but you can’t change the size, location, neighborhood, and so on. Make sure these are the foundation of your decision when you buy your home.