{"id":4149,"date":"2021-01-04T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summerhillhomes.com\/blog\/?p=4149"},"modified":"2024-03-05T14:32:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T22:32:10","slug":"the-ultimate-house-hunting-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.summerhillhomes.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/04\/the-ultimate-house-hunting-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate House Hunting Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve decided to jump into homeownership and start searching for a new home in the Bay Area. Congratulations! Buying a new home is both exciting and overwhelming. There\u2019s a lot of information to keep track of so we\u2019re here to help! We put together this guide to get you started for your new home search so you can house hunt with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conduct research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step to buying a new home is conducting research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial resources. <\/strong>Check your credit report for accuracy, identifying, and correcting any mistakes. If you need to work on improving your credit score, now is a great time to figure out what you need to do and create a plan<\/a>. Make sure you calculate your current expenses to make sure you\u2019ll be able to afford your new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lenders. <\/strong>No two lenders are alike. Don\u2019t feel like\nyou have to use the first lender you speak with! You\u2019ll be working with the\nlender for a long amount of time so be sure to find the right lender for you.\nTake time to research multiple lenders and shop around for the best interest\nrate and loan terms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighborhoods. <\/strong>You don\u2019t just buy a home; you also buy into a community. Every neighborhood has its own personality so take the time to research potential neighborhoods you\u2019d like to live in, even if you already know the area. Look at the local schools, crime rates, and traffic (especially important if you need to commute to work). Find out what parks, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment options are nearby.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get pre-approved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many real estate transactions fall through because the buyer\nwasn\u2019t able to secure financing. Getting pre-approved by your chosen lender serves\ntwo purposes: first, it shows that you\u2019re a serious buyer because the financing\nis all set. Second, it shows you how much a lender is willing to loan, which\nwill help you narrow down options as you search for your new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a new home wish list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you narrowed down your desired neighborhoods, researched lending options, and gotten pre-approved, the next step is to create a wish list for your new home. You\u2019ll want to create two columns: one for your must-have features and the other for \u201cnice to have\u201d features. It\u2019s possible you won\u2019t be able to find a home that ticks off all the boxes on your dream list so it\u2019s important to figure out which features you\u2019re willing to compromise on and which you\u2019re not. This will keep you focused on your end goals as you tour homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need help creating your lists? Try these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note your dislikes in your current home. <\/strong>Walkthrough your current home and take note of anything you\u2019d want to change in your home. Do you have enough storage space in the kitchen or bedrooms? Do you need more bedrooms? Does your home feel cramped? Does the layout not work for your family? Does your kitchen feel outdated? Go through each room in your home and make a list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about your family\u2019s lifestyle. <\/strong>Your home should support your lifestyle. Ask yourself the important questions about your family: how long will you be in the home? Do you have school-aged children or may have children in the near future? Will you have your parents move in? Do you like to entertain at home? An open floorplan with an outdoor living space would be a good idea. Do you work from home? Having a den or extra bedroom is a must-have. All of these conditions must be considered when looking for a new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking down the home search process turns a potentially\noverwhelming process into a manageable project. Creating a checklist will help\nyou find and move into your dream home in no time! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Homes in the Bay Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ready to find and buy a new home in the Bay Area? Whether you\u2019re a first-time buyer or dreaming of moving up, look to SummerHill Homes! We’re excited about our newest sales release happening on January 9th at Portico<\/a> in Mountain View!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Portico<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Portico <\/a>features attached homes with 3-4 bedrooms, home offices ready with high-speed connections, flexible spaces for fitness or hobbies, and private outdoor space in Mountain View, CA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy a close-in Silicon Valley commute location with easy access to Highways 85 & 101, pedestrian, bike access to Caltrain, great schools, and walkability to charming downtown Mountain View. It’s also conveniently located near top employers like Google, and LinkedIn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about this beautiful new community (and see our other available communities) at our website at SummerHillHomes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve decided to jump into homeownership and start searching for a new home in the Bay Area. Congratulations! Buying a new home is both exciting and overwhelming. There\u2019s a lot of information to keep track of so we\u2019re here to help! We put together this guide to get you started for your new home search […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[453],"tags":[108,402,385,197,199,512],"yoast_head":"\nThe Ultimate House Hunting Checklist - SummerHill Homes Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Ultimate House Hunting Checklist - Don't Miss a Thing on Your House Hunting Journey. 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