I'm potentially going to buy a new home. I like the home I've lived in for more than 30 years, but I think that it may be time to make a change. So I've started exploring homes in a number of locales. Most of the exploration is virtual. I look online, but if a home really captures my attention, I'll make an appointment to see that home.
Just a month ago, my husband and I took a drive to a hilly, woodsy, beautiful Massachusetts location to look at a home that caught my attention. The home was situated perfectly on the land--I loved that. The home also had lots of personal touches that made it a welcome place to live. Yet the location was too far away from our work and family, and it didn't have enough room to host family members who would likely have to stay the night if they visited us in such a far away location. Finally, the steep hills near the property would not work in winter for a scaredy cat like me who hates to drive in icy conditions. I'm glad I visited the home though because it showed me that beautiful, welcoming properties exist that interest me, but I need a locale that's more accessible to family members and a place that offers either adequate public transportation or ease of driving.
Just recently I saw another home that I really liked. This home also looks welcoming and the locale seems more accessible. I want to see how this home is situated on the land and the neighborhood it is in. I also want to see the features as they look great online, but I want to see if they look as good when I visit.
In any situation of choice, it pays off to do the exploration to see what you really want versus what you don't want. I'll keep a list of elements we're looking for as well as a list of what we want to avoid. Onward.