Find Your Dream Home
The term “dream home” can mean many different things based on who you are as a home buyer. Do you want a bigger house? A big yard? A three-car garage? Maybe you want something with the perfect game room or a great community. Perhaps you want all of the above!
So how do you get into that new home? First, you have to determine what exactly it is you want in your house. To do this, make a list. Write down absolutely everything you want in your home. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the lot, the local amenities, and so on are going on this list.
Once you’ve got your list written out, grab a highlighter. Now you’re going to mark everything you consider an absolute necessity. This is your dream home, so if you’re on the fence about a feature, go ahead and mark it — just keep realistic financial limitations in mind.
Not sure what features you want in your dream home? We can help with some ideas! Then, when you’re ready to look for your dream home in Orange County, contact Lido Real Estate to find your professional real estate agent to guide you through the buying process!
The House
Alright, let’s start with the most obvious part of your dream home — the house itself. Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at your potential future dwelling.
How many bedrooms does it have?
More bedrooms typically mean more space for your family and friends. It also means more options to do creative things with extra rooms. You can create a fun gaming room, a personal gym, or an office with a spare bedroom.
How many bathrooms?
Having more bathrooms makes it easier for your family to avoid fighting over restroom time. Plus, if you’re having a get-together, you don’t necessarily want guests competing for the bathroom. Having more bathrooms can mean less stress in many situations.
How’s the kitchen?
Modern homebuyers tend to value an open kitchen space. It allows more room for customization and makes it easier for you to move around while you’re cooking. Plus, a nice kitchen is a great place to host and serve hors d’oeuvres to peckish guests.
Is the living room nice?
There are certain features to ask yourself if you want in a living room. This is important because a living room is commonly where families and guests congregate. You want to make sure there’s plenty of space so you’re not cramped — but also think of other amenities. For example, a fireplace can be an eye-catching and convenient feature for your primary living space.
What about the dining room?
The popularity of the dining room is starting to wane. In favor of larger kitchen spaces, dining rooms are considered less and less necessary. However, there are still plenty of people who value a classic dining room. If you’re one of these people, make sure the dining room in your dream home is big enough to fit as many dinner guests as you anticipate having at one time.
Let’s look at the garage
A garage is useful for so much more than storing your cars. It can also be used as a gym area, extended storage space, an art studio, a workshop — you name it, and you can probably make it happen with a good garage.
Is it accessible?
Consider how easy it is to get in and out of your home. One-story homes are easily accessible for the elderly or those with limiting physical factors. However, many appreciate the aesthetic and extra space afforded by multiple-story homes. Take a minute to think about who you’ll be entertaining and their physical needs. Also, think about what you may need in a home as you age if you believe your dream house will also be your forever home.
There are so many more things we could list about the house itself, but the few above are a good starting point. The house is where you’ll spend most of your time relaxing and hosting, so it’s important not to skimp on the details. Make sure your house will be a comfortable, safe place for you and your family to spend quality time together.
The Yard
Now, let’s talk about the first thing people see when they arrive at your dream home: the yard. Your yard is important in both its utility and cosmetic appeal. Coming home to a beautiful yard can be as calming as walking into your dream home. Plus, a large yard with plenty of features encourages more outdoor activity for you and your family. Here are some questions to ask when you’re looking at your dream home’s yard.
What’s the grass like?
Take a look at the lawn of your potential dream home. Is the grass nice and green? Is it thick or patchy? The health of the grass is a good indicator of the property’s soil quality. If the grass is unhealthy, you might be facing some landscaping costs if you want your yard to have a nice aesthetic.
What about the other natural features?
Furthering on aesthetics, look at the bushes, flowers, and trees surrounding the house. If there’s a nice selection of healthy plants, chances are you’ll be able to grow a wider variety of cosmetic plants to make the outside of your house pop! These are also positive features to look for if you’re interested in growing your own vegetable garden.
How big is it?
Some people want their home on dozens of acres to have room for recreational activities, such as four-wheeling or hiking. Others desire homes that are centered in major metropolitan areas. Most, however, fall in the middle. Ask yourself how much room you want outside for you and your family. But remember, the bigger the yard, the more care you’ll have to put into it.
Is the backyard fenced in?
A fenced-in backyard has several benefits. First of all, it helps keep unwanted wildlife out of your yard. Secondly, it provides a safe place for your kids to play outside while remaining in a designated area. This extends to your pets as well, as the fence grants them the ability to safely roam. If well maintained, the fence can also add to your dream home’s resale value.
Is there a pool?
This is hardly a necessity for everyone, but for those who want to host big summer gatherings, a pool can be fantastic! Having a pool grants you immediate access to a slew of water activities. Keep in mind, though, a pool comes with care responsibilities and extra costs for maintenance, so only go for this option if you’ve got the extra income to support it.
Your yard is a place where you and your family will spend countless hours in the sun. Make sure it’s one that you’ll be proud of when making your dream home decision.
The Location
We hear it all the time — “location, location, location.” But we hear it for a good reason. Location is one of the most important aspects of your dream home. It determines your experience with the areas and people surrounding your home. Here are the questions you have to ask when determining the location of your dream house!
How’s the community?
The community surrounding your dream home should be key in your decision making. Who are the people you’ll see on a daily basis? Do you think you’ll get along with them? Maybe you prefer a location that’s a little more rural, where neighborly interaction won’t be a common thing. It’s important to find a community that you feel you’ll mesh with.
What’s the neighborhood like?
Speaking of neighborly interaction, take a hard look at neighborhood policies if you’re moving into that kind of community. Is there a homeowner’s association? If so, what are their rules and fees? HOAs can be great for upkeeping neighborhood standards, but you have to make sure you won’t be offended by any of their rules or fees. Also, consider the amenities of the neighborhood, such as parks, pools, and security when making your decision.
How about the schools?
This one is for the parents and guardians out there. Making sure your children receive a top-quality education is vital to their growth and development. Take time to research the school district that your dream home falls within. Look into things like average test scores and reviews when trying to determine a school’s quality. Visiting the school and meeting with the principal is also a valuable step when determining if the facility will be a good fit for your child.
What is there to do?
What are the activities available close to your dream home? For some who desire larger properties, your land may provide all the recreation you need. For others, you may need to consider how close the home is to fun activities, such as hiking trails, golf courses, restaurants, and so on. Also, consider how easy it is to access essentials, such as groceries and pet supplies. Truly efficient planners will be able to properly stockpile supplies, but most of us could use a nearby general store for emergencies.
What about the natural areas?
If your dream home isn’t on a large chunk of land, think about the natural areas you’ll have access to. Will you have parks to take your kids and dogs to? What about trails to hike? If you like spending time in the woods, are there any major forests within a reasonable distance? Maybe you like going to the mountains or the beach. Take a look at a map and make sure you’ll be able to conveniently access the areas you want.
Is the home itself accessible?
Lastly, how easy will it be for you to get home or your guests to visit? Again, some people prefer a more rural feel, but understand that these areas are not always GPS-friendly. Conversely, a home in a big city can be equally difficult to access when you consider things like traffic and paid parking. Making sure your home is easy to find and visit will encourage guests to come to see you when you want them to.
Where your dream house is located is as important as the features of the house itself. Make sure it provides all the amenities you would want. This will help ensure a happy and healthy experience for you and your family in your forever home!
The Offer
When you’ve found a house that you love, it’s time to make an offer! This can be an overwhelming process, but the residential real estate experts at Lido Real Estate will guide you through each step, including deciding on an offer amount, what to include in the offer letter, navigating the negotiation process, drafting contingencies, and more.
Financing
As you may already know, it is incredibly important that you are pre-approved for a mortgage before you even start shopping for a house. This will help keep you on budget, avoiding the heartache of falling in love with a house that a lender won’t approve you for. Being pre-approved will also make the process quicker, increasing the chance that the seller will accept your offer.
Decide on an Offer Amount
The amount you offer is a crucial first step. Depending on the Orange County real estate market at the time, you may need to decide quickly to avoid another buyer’s offer being accepted first. Your agent will look at the listing price, how long it’s been on the market, comparable houses in the area, and other factors to determine an appropriate amount.
Negotiating
If the seller accepts your offer, congratulations! In some cases, however, the seller will counter-offer or will even decline the offer (which can happen when there is a better offer on the table). With a counter-offer, your real estate agent can discuss the details and decide whether to accept, reject, or make another counter-offer. This negotiating phase can also include terms of the contract, such as closing costs or the amount of time until closing. When both parties come to agreement, you will sign a purchase agreement and you will be under contract.
Contingency Period
A lot can happen between the time when you sign the purchase agreement and the final closing. This is when the house will undergo a buyer’s inspection and an appraisal. These items are meant to protect buyers from purchasing a house with hidden issues such as structural damage or an old roof that needs replacing, as well as to ensure that your mortgage isn’t more than the house is worth. If an issue comes up that causes you to want to back out of the agreement, having an appropriate contingency will allow you to do this. An experienced real estate agent will ensure that no detail is left unchecked.
The Final Closing
When all goes well — the house passes inspection, appraises at the right amount, and all terms of the contract are agreed upon — you will schedule a closing date. At closing, you will need to bring your down payment, as well as additional funds to cover closing costs, such as credit report fees, origination fee, property taxes, title search fees, and others. A detailed list of what you will need to bring will be provided by your real estate agent.
Congratulations, you now own a home! The process of making an offer on a house can be overwhelming, but with the team at Lido Real Estate on your side, you can be confident that it will be smooth and simple. We will be there to answer all of your questions.
Take Your Time
Finding your dream house is not meant to be a fast process. It may be your forever home, a place where cherished memories will be made. Really research your options and find out what exactly it is you want in your ideal house. Look at everything mentioned above, then brainstorm to consider if there are any other features of your dream home that are especially important to you. Make sure your dream home is sustainable, and that you’ll be able to comfortably afford it. Then, when you’ve figured out exactly what it is you want and need in your home, find your market guide.
Make sure you use a reputable real estate agent when looking for your forever home. Experienced agents will know the market and help you pinpoint your ideal house. Then, they’ll go to bat to make sure you get the best deal on your purchase. More often than not, your agent will save you more money than it costs to utilize their services, which makes hiring one in your home search an especially valuable investment. If you think your dream home may be in Orange County, consider using the professionals at Lido Real Estate.
At Lido Real Estate, our professional duo is established and experienced. Matt and Jen know the ins and outs of the Orange County housing market. With over 19 years of combined experience, they know exactly how to help you find your dream home. They can also help you get the best value out of your old home. When you’re looking to make the move into your forever home, let Matt and Jen help. Feel free to contact Lido Real Estate today with any questions, no matter how big or small, today!
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