Shopping when you’re hungry can lead to disaster. Either you spend too much, fail to get the food you came for – or both. Though you went to the store for a week’s worth of meals and with the best intentions, you’ll arrive home with a bag of oatmeal, a trunk full of gelato and the ingredients for an exotic french feast you’ve been wanting to make ever since you saw that film…unless you make a list. A list will save you.
Shopping for a house is no different. Though you may have been dreaming of your new home for years before you start looking, it’s a good idea to get your thoughts down on paper. Think of it as drawing up a contract with yourself. Because when you’re feeling pressured by market conditions, your spouse, price fluctuations or “once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” you can lose your head and jump on the first thing you want.
Of course, drawing up a truly useful list when it comes to buying a home is far more complex than making a grocery list. So to get you headed in the right direction, here are several things to consider when you start putting pen to paper:
Location, Location,...