Top Lifestyle Considerations for Buying a Home

Whether it's your first home or you're getting ready to move into something new that fits your changing needs, this topic is for you. Today, we are going to talk about the top lifestyle considerations for buying a home. So we're going to go beyond your typical list of home features and help you start thinking about the actual lifestyle you want to live. 

LOCATION MATTERS FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE

You hear it all the time in the real estate world - it's all about the location...and it really is true! Because while you can paint colors, countertops and put that massive deck you've always dreamed of, you can't move your house (not without a lot of money anyways).

Think of things like what your work commute will be like, how far of a drive you're willing to have each day, the features you want in your community, and the school distrcit you want to be in if that is important to you. Do you want to be walking distance to the downtown? Do you want to be set further back from the road for privacy? What about the size of the city you live in? Do you want the feel of a small town lifestyle or are you happier in a busier city? The location of your home will be something that isn't going to change so figure out which criteria are essential when it comes to the location of your home and the lifestyle it will create. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HOME FEATURES THAT FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

When you think of home features it's easy to automatcially jump to your running list of criteria such as the size of the garage, how many bedrooms you want, that must-have updated kitchen and all of the "house data". However, you are ultimately buying a lifestyle, not just a house. So we have some things for you to consider when it comes to the type of lifestyle you are ultimately looking for when you make a move! Write down these questions and really think about what your answers are:

1. Where do you spend most of your time at home? If you love to cook and spend most of your time in the kitchen, you'll want to prioritize the layout of the kitchen when looking for a home. You can always add in upgraded quartz countertops or that dreamy double oven but the size, layout and location of the kitchen should be a top concern if you don't want to do any major renovations. 
2. What is something you wish you had in your current home? What is something you don't want any longer in your current home? Is your yard a lot to maintain and you want something smaller with a lot less maintenance? Maybe it's the opposite and your current yard is just too small for the lifestyle you have - making one of your top priorities having a bigger yard with privacy.
3. Which room in your house do you spend the most time in? How much space do you need to live comfortably and be able to enjoy the things you love the most? Are you hoping to have enough bathrooms to avoid chaotic mornings?

These questions will help you determine which features could be the most important to focus on when it comes time to look for a new home. Maybe features like hardwood floors aren't as necessary as having a layout that is perfect for entertaining and hosting holiday parties. You can always swap out flooring later but the layout will be a little harder to change. 

MAKE SURE TO BUDGET FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE

It's important to consider how much you can afford comfortably. Buyers are often pre-approved for a significantly higher amount than what they are actually comfortable spending on a monthly basis. Think about other expenses you have when it somes to your lifestyle - what else is important to you? Do you love to travel or go out to nice dinners on a regular basis? Do you love attending as many games of your favorite football team as possible? What hobbies do you have that cost money every month? Make sure the amount you spend on your house doesn't eat up all of your extra funds so you're glued to the house and can't have any fun or do the things you love!

If you're considering buying a new home in the near future and you want to chat more about the type of lifestyle you're looking for, reach out to us today!

Bossier City Office (318) 747-5411    Shreveport Office (318) 861-2461