Finding the Perfect Location for Your Dream Home
Are you tired of living in the same rented apartment, where you can’t do much or change much and everyone knows your business? Do you dream of a bigger, better, more exciting place to call home?
If so, you’re not alone. Many people are looking for the perfect location for their dream homes.
But how do you find it? How do you know where to look, what to look for, and what to avoid? How do you make sure you don’t end up in a nightmare instead of a dream?
Well, don’t worry, because I’m here to help. I’m going to share with you my top tips on how to find the perfect location for your dream home.
Tip #1: Know what you want
Before you start looking for your dream location, you need to have a clear idea of what you want. Start by asking yourself these set of questions.
- What kind of lifestyle do you want to have?
- What kind of amenities do you need?
- What kind of environment do you prefer?
- Do you want to be close to nature, or close to urban civilization or somewhere in-between?
- Do you want to be in a quiet or a lively area?
- Do you want to have a lot of space, or a cozy place?
- Do you want to have a lot of neighbours, or a lot of privacy?
- Do you want a small garden or a farmland nearby?
- What about outdoor entertainment?
- Do you enjoy outdoors within your environment?
- Do you wish to entertain large guests in your home?
- Do you like to come outside your house and have a view? Water view? Mountain/landscape views?
- How often do you attend social and official events? Would you like to stay close to such activities?
Think about these questions and write down your answers. Be as specific as possible. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on the locations that match your criteria.
Read Also: How to Effectively Read a Floor Plan like a Pro
Tip #2: Know your budget
Another important factor to consider when looking for your dream location is your budget.
- How much can you afford to spend to acquire this property for your dream home? You may have also inherited a plot and so, cost of land acquisition is not your problem anymore.
- What is your budget to pay the designer of your dream house?
- How much are you willing to pay for taxes, utilities, maintenance, and other expenses?
- How much are you willing to compromise on building material quality or convenience for affordability?
Be realistic about your finances and set a budget range that you can stick to. Don’t fall in love with a location that is way out of your reach.
Don’t settle for a location that is way below your standards. Find a balance between what you want and what you can afford.
Read: My Experience with Securing a Federal Mortgage bank Loan/Grant for Housing
Tip #3: Understand the kind of family you come from
By this I mean the nuclear family you are coming from and your in-laws (if you are already married). Your dream home (if large) could attract guests that stay indefinitely if you are the type that likes to have less people in your home.
The easiest way to reduce such population will be to have as little space as possible or to have enough space on your plot to build a guest house outside your main house.
Read: Downsizing Your Home for Retirees, Empty Nesters, and Seniors
Tip #4: Do your research
Once you have an idea of what you want and what you can afford, it’s time to do some research. Use online tools like Google Maps, Zillow, Trulia, or Realtor.com to explore different locations and see what they have to offer. Look at the pictures, read the descriptions, check the ratings, compare the prices, and get a feel for the place.
But don’t rely on online information alone. You also need to do some offline research. Visit the locations in person and see them for yourself. Talk to the locals, people living around the area and get their opinions. Drive around the neighbourhood and observe the surroundings. Experience the vibe and the atmosphere of the place.
Make enquiries on how stable electricity is around such area, waste management, water supply, etc. You need to know the availability of such so that you can plan for alternatives ahead of time, if the level of supply is not adequate for you.
Read: Cost-Effective Building Materials for Tropical Climate
Doing your research will help you get a better understanding of the location and its pros and cons. It will also help you avoid unpleasant surprises or disappointments later on.
Tip #5: Trust your gut
After doing all the research and analysis, trust your gut. Listen to your intuition and follow your heart. Which location makes you feel happy, excited, and comfortable? Which location feels like home?
It could be in the village or outskirts of town.
Don’t try to overthink it or second-guess yourself. Don’t let other people’s opinions or expectations influence your decision. Don’t let fear or doubt stop you from pursuing your dream. Just go with what feels right for you. It’s your home, you are the one to live and dwell in it.
Tip #6: Work with Your Architect
Finally, after doing all the research and analysis and trusting your gut, check-in with your Architect. You need to know the viable area of land you are looking to buy to ascertain if it will accommodate all your desires. That’s where your Architect comes in.
You need to know the easement rights on a property for you and the rights your potential neighbours have to the property.
You also need to know if that area is zoned for residentials. You don’t want to finish building your home and the government comes to demolish your house because it’s along a major highway or a blocked river canal.
Read: Who is an architect and why you need one
Remember that finding the perfect location for your dream home is not an easy task. It takes time, effort, and patience. But it’s worth it. Because once you find it, you’ll know it. And you’ll never want to leave.
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