[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home":3,"/blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home-surround":283,"/blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home-related":294},{"id":4,"title":5,"authors":6,"badge":10,"body":12,"date":271,"description":272,"extension":273,"image":274,"meta":276,"navigation":277,"path":278,"seo":279,"stem":280,"tags":281,"__hash__":282},"posts/3.blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home.md","First-time Home Buyer Checklist for Finding Your Dream Home",[7],{"name":8,"to":9},"Mary Bolton","",{"label":11},"Home Inspection Services",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":248},"minimark",[15,19,22,25,34,39,42,45,50,60,64,67,70,74,77,85,89,92,95,99,102,105,108,112,115,118,122,125,128,135,139,142,149,160,169,173,176,185,189,192,195,204,207,210,217,221,224,228,231,235,238,242,245],[16,17,18],"p",{},"House hunting requires you to develop the ability to see into the future. It’s hard to predict what you’ll want in the long term, though, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer.",[16,20,21],{},"The process of buying a home can be arduous and frustrating to begin with, especially for first-timers. To complicate matters further, most of us have fantasized about what our dream home would be like since we were children.",[16,23,24],{},"Our house hunting checklist will guide you through the process of preparing to make that big leap, and most importantly, finding your dream home.",[16,26,27],{},[28,29],"img",{"alt":30,"className":31,"src":33},"young couple looking at laptop and papers",[32],"rounded-lg","https://bprassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blogfiles/assets/images/post/Body%20Pics/05-02-17_images/young-couple-looking-at-laptop-and-papers.jpg",[35,36,38],"h2",{"id":37},"get-organized","Get Organized",[16,40,41],{},"After a long time of living in apartments or other rental properties, you’ll probably want to buy a house and get the process over with quickly. Who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, house hunting and house buying is a months-long process.",[16,43,44],{},"Before you jump feet-first into your new living situation, it’s important to get organized. Here are a few simple ways to prepare:",[46,47,49],"h3",{"id":48},"check-your-credit-score","Check Your Credit Score",[16,51,52,59],{},[53,54,58],"a",{"href":55,"rel":56},"http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/6-must-dos-before-buying-a-home-2.aspx",[57],"nofollow","Your credit score"," directly affects the kind of interest rate you’ll get on your mortgage. The higher it is, the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be.",[46,61,63],{"id":62},"find-a-real-estate-agent","Find a Real Estate Agent",[16,65,66],{},"A real estate agent does more than just take you on home tours. Your agent is your advocate during the processes of home hunting and buying.",[16,68,69],{},"Take the time to find a seasoned agent who you connect with to help you through this frustrating time.",[46,71,73],{"id":72},"find-a-mortgage-lender","Find a Mortgage Lender",[16,75,76],{},"This step sounds scary, but it will save you a lot of grief down the line if you meet with mortgage lenders to find a mortgage that will work for you.",[16,78,79,80,84],{},"![](",[53,81,82],{"href":82,"rel":83},"https://bprassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blogfiles/assets/images/post/Body",[57]," Pics/05-02-17_images/couple-meets-with-real-estate-agent.jpg){.rounded-lg}",[35,86,88],{"id":87},"work-with-your-real-estate-agent","Work with Your Real Estate Agent",[16,90,91],{},"Even though many websites list homes for sale, working with a real estate agent is still very necessary. Your agent is your greatest ally when it comes to house hunting.",[16,93,94],{},"Finding an agent that you click with is just the first step. Here are some tips on making the most of this professional relationship:",[46,96,98],{"id":97},"be-able-to-communicate","Be Able to Communicate",[16,100,101],{},"As in any relationship, communication is key.",[16,103,104],{},"In your first few meetings with your agent, start outlining what you want and need in your home. Your agent will use these specifics to help you find your dream home.",[16,106,107],{},"Maintain stable contact with your real estate agent, and convey any questions or concerns as they arise.",[46,109,111],{"id":110},"be-honest-about-budget-and-expectations","Be Honest About Budget and Expectations",[16,113,114],{},"Once you’ve worked out what you want your agent to look for, you need to define a budget.",[16,116,117],{},"It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but be up front about your budget. After all, your agent’s goal is to put you in a house that you can afford.",[46,119,121],{"id":120},"be-flexible","Be Flexible",[16,123,124],{},"Your realtor may show you a house that feels absolutely wrong for you. Instead of worrying that you may have picked the wrong agent, consider their choice.",[16,126,127],{},"However, it’s okay to tell your agent that the house they showed you is not what you want.",[16,129,130],{},[28,131],{"alt":132,"className":133,"src":134},"person writing list",[32],"https://bprassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blogfiles/assets/images/post/Body%20Pics/05-02-17_images/writing-in-a-cafe.jpg",[35,136,138],{"id":137},"how-to-make-a-want-vs-need-list","How to Make a Want vs. Need List",[16,140,141],{},"Figuring out what you need in a house can require a little bit of forward thinking. When visualizing your ideal home, it’s important to consider your future.",[16,143,144,148],{},[145,146,147],"strong",{},"A Want vs. Need list"," is similar to a pros-and-cons chart. It helps you weigh your options before you commit to a situation.",[16,150,151,152,155,156,159],{},"On the Wants side of the list, enumerate the features that you ",[145,153,154],{},"wish your ideal home would have",". On the Needs side, list the features that you ",[145,157,158],{},"cannot compromise**","on.**",[16,161,162,163,168],{},"The following are factors that might be helpful to consider when you are creating your ",[53,164,167],{"href":165,"rel":166},"http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/07/tips-for-finding-your-dream-home.html",[57],"Want vs. Needs list",".",[46,170,172],{"id":171},"sizes-of-the-home","Sizes of the home",[16,174,175],{},"**Small. **Tiny houses are all the rage right now. Look into a small home if you don’t plan on growing your family, or if you’re looking for a manageable space.",[16,177,178,179,184],{},"**Average. **According to ",[53,180,183],{"href":181,"rel":182},"https://www.census.gov/construction/chars/pdf/c25ann2015.pdf",[57],"a recent Census Bureau report",", the average American home is currently about 2,467 square feet. This is often the standard “three bedrooms, two baths” living situation that suits most home-buyers and allows for room to grow.",[46,186,188],{"id":187},"styles-of-the-home","Styles of the home",[16,190,191],{},"There truly are as many styles of houses as there are houses themselves.",[16,193,194],{},"Choosing a style is entirely a matter of personal preference, but here are the two categories that most houses tend to fall into, regardless of style:",[16,196,197,198,203],{},"**Historic. **Historic homes are just that—historic. They’re reminders of another time, and they can be elegant and unique. However, they can also require a lot of ",[53,199,202],{"href":200,"rel":201},"http://www.cbsnews.com/media/should-you-buy-a-historic-home-6-owners-share-the-pros-and-cons/5/",[57],"costly upkeep work"," to maintain.",[16,205,206],{},"**Contemporary. **Contemporary houses are built with today’s technological advances. These homes are newer, and their designs tend to emphasize energy efficiency and sustainability. Each house’s actual appearance can vary widely.",[16,208,209],{},"While being able to specify what you need in a home is very important, don’t forget to balance your needs with what you want. If your heart is set on a particular style of house that isn’t in your perfect neighborhood, it’s okay to make compromises.",[16,211,212],{},[28,213],{"alt":214,"className":215,"src":216},"hand holding transparent 3-D map",[32],"https://bprassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blogfiles/assets/images/post/Body%20Pics/05-02-17_images/hand-holding-transparent-3-D-map.jpg",[35,218,220],{"id":219},"location-location-location","Location, Location, Location",[16,222,223],{},"Unless you plan on moving into an RV (no judgement here), settling on a location is probably the most important decision you’ll make while hunting for your dream home.",[46,225,227],{"id":226},"city","City",[16,229,230],{},"If you’re like most Americans, both your job and your social life are located here. A house in the city may be pricey, but your commute will be significantly shorter.",[46,232,234],{"id":233},"suburb","Suburb",[16,236,237],{},"If you’ve been living in the city for a while, it might be nice to have a change of pace. A suburb offers proximity to larger metropolitan areas while being away from the hustle and bustle.",[46,239,241],{"id":240},"rural","Rural",[16,243,244],{},"If you truly want to get away from it all, consider moving to a rural area. Living in a rural area brings its own challenges, but it can also provide space and quiet that the cities and suburbs cannot.",[16,246,247],{},"**Bottom line: **Finding and buying your dream home is a long, arduous process that involves a lot of compromise and future planning. Getting organized, making a list of wants vs. needs, and communicating with realtors and your family will help the process go much more smoothly and help get you your dream home.",{"title":9,"searchDepth":249,"depth":249,"links":250},2,[251,257,262,266],{"id":37,"depth":249,"text":38,"children":252},[253,255,256],{"id":48,"depth":254,"text":49},3,{"id":62,"depth":254,"text":63},{"id":72,"depth":254,"text":73},{"id":87,"depth":249,"text":88,"children":258},[259,260,261],{"id":97,"depth":254,"text":98},{"id":110,"depth":254,"text":111},{"id":120,"depth":254,"text":121},{"id":137,"depth":249,"text":138,"children":263},[264,265],{"id":171,"depth":254,"text":172},{"id":187,"depth":254,"text":188},{"id":219,"depth":249,"text":220,"children":267},[268,269,270],{"id":226,"depth":254,"text":227},{"id":233,"depth":254,"text":234},{"id":240,"depth":254,"text":241},"2017-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","Navigate the home buying journey with our essential checklist for first-time buyers, ensuring you find your dream home effortlessly.","md",{"src":275},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15081958/Back-view-of-couple.jpg",{},true,"/blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home",{"title":5,"description":272},"3.blog/post/first-time-home-buyer-checklist-for-finding-your-dream-home",null,"KUsThPSFFiDskHbyd-wWNoigiuN-dLSqfz5AXkj8k1w",[284,289],{"title":285,"path":286,"stem":287,"description":288,"children":-1},"Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance in the Winter","/blog/post/fireplace-and-chimney-maintenance-in-the-winter","3.blog/post/fireplace-and-chimney-maintenance-in-the-winter","Ensure your fireplace is safe and cozy this winter with essential maintenance tips for ash removal, cleaning, and safety checks.",{"title":290,"path":291,"stem":292,"description":293,"children":-1},"Flee the Flu: Stress-Free Methods to Keep You Healthy","/blog/post/flee-the-flu-stress-free-methods-to-keep-you-healthy","3.blog/post/flee-the-flu-stress-free-methods-to-keep-you-healthy","Stay healthy this flu season with simple, stress-free tips for prevention and immune support. Protect yourself and your loved ones easily!",[295,303,311],{"path":296,"title":297,"description":298,"image":299,"badge":301,"date":302},"/blog/post/home-appraisal-vs-home-inspection-whats-the-difference","Home Appraisal Vs. Home Inspection: What’s the Difference?","Understand the key differences between home appraisals and inspections to navigate your home-buying journey with confidence and clarity.",{"src":300},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15081853/businessman-calculating-house-cost.jpg",{"label":11},"2017-08-25T00:00:00.000Z",{"path":304,"title":305,"description":306,"image":307,"badge":309,"date":310},"/blog/post/how-to-sell-your-house-using-apps-drones-and-other-innovations","How to Sell Your House Using Apps, Drones, and Other Innovations","Revolutionize your home selling with tech: use apps, drones, and smart upgrades to attract buyers and boost your property's appeal.",{"src":308},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15081915/real-estate-aerial-photography_1.jpg",{"label":11},"2017-06-23T00:00:00.000Z",{"path":312,"title":313,"description":314,"image":315,"badge":317,"date":318},"/blog/post/home-repairs-a-buyer-might-ask-for","Home Repairs a Buyer Might Ask For","Discover common home repairs buyers might request when purchasing your property and how to navigate these requests effectively.",{"src":316},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15081917/house-for-sale-sign-sale-pending.jpg",{"label":11},"2017-06-19T00:00:00.000Z"]