Things to Consider When Buying A Home
By Guest Blogger Uma Campbell
Whether the house you want to buy is your first or your fifth, the details of the purchase process are dizzying.
On one hand, you need to keep track of the money, the mortgage, the rate, the papers, warranties, closing costs, earnest money and more. On the other, you’re keeping an eye on the livability of the house – the inspection issues, the potential building violations, mold, pests, heating and cooling systems, and the condition of the roof.
Then there’s the part about how your things are going to fit inside the new house. And most importantly, whether you want them to.
The reasons for moving are sometimes happy – a new baby or a new job in a different city; and sometimes sad – a divorce or the need to downsize because the kids are grown and, as Empty Nesters, the house is now too big.
But no matter what the reason, moving is almost always a great opportunity to shed some stuff, and maybe add other stuff that you enjoy just as much – or more
More to Less
For most of the Baby Boomers in this country, the most typical moving situation includes downsizing, which means taking a lifetime of accumulated stuff and filtering it, so moving from a large home to a smaller one means having fewer things.
The process – the sheer weight of the memories attached to every object in the house can be overwhelming, so to overcome the biggest challenge – the emotional one – means planning.
Well before the moving van pulls up, make a plan. Divide the time and the amount of work that needs to be done. Experts on de-cluttering describe a box system – as you sort, toss everything into a box – save, trash or donate. Handle everything once and let those extra clothes, dishes, toys, and household goods... go – just let them go. In a real crisis of conscience, toss the questionable items into a box. Seal and mark it, and then move it with you. Store it in the garage or basement. If you don’t get around to opening it after a year, it’s time for it to move on.
Less to More
For the graduate student or long-time renter who gets to move into a house, for first-time homeowners who have never lived together, or for anyone who becomes lucky to move into a larger dwelling space, this is the chance to organize furniture and possessions into a coherent whole.
Time to get rid of that horrible shaggy, colorless sofa and garage sale chairs and invest into better, more comfortable, more versatile furniture that will last for years. For those blending possessions, take the best or most important pieces belonging to each person and work on blending them together into a totally unique style.
Consider the climate, light and overall environment when investing in paint, flooring, furniture and accessories from curtains to pillows. (If your weather is gloomy half the year, do you really want gray walls? If you live in a damp climate, spotlighting big breeze-giving windows might work well.)
Then incorporate your personal living style – from maintenance and cleaning to decorating into your thinking, and you’ll have a plan to create your own personal space – one that you can show off, and more importantly, a space that works for you.
The Bigger Picture
No matter what kind of move you’re pursuing, perhaps the best way to think about buying a new house is to be a mindful homeowner. A mindful homeowner has a plan and follows it to keep the house and yard looking its very best.
This is the homeowner who thinks ahead about replacing the driveway and saving on utility bills... the one who helps organize the block party, and the one whose home is always ready for company, or just to relax at home – in the most perfect space they can craft.