Real estate Q&A: How can we find our dream home?

Gary M. Singer, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Dec 26, 2024

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Q: After several years of renting, we plan to purchase our first home in the new year. Do you have any advice on how we can find our dream home? —Joan

A: Buying your first home is an exciting but anxious time. Getting caught up in the process and ‘losing the forest for the trees’ is easy.

When starting the process, make a written list of the top 10 things you are looking for in your new home. Some people want a big kitchen and a large yard, while others want a high rise with a view.

Many people drift away from what they initially sought when looking at various properties with different characteristics and price points. While buying a home often requires compromise, use this list as your guiding star to ensure your new home fits your unique needs.

The location of your new home should be one of your primary considerations. That said, focus on the characteristics of the location you want rather than requiring a specific town or community. I have seen people end up in a house too small for their family to live in a particular community while ignoring a great neighborhood a 15-minute drive away with larger homes in the same price range.

Do not give up on finding a home that suits you. The process of trying to find and buy a new home can be exhausting, which often leads people to give up and settle on a sub-par home just to avoid another month or three of the process.

When shopping around, sometimes it takes several months or more to find the right home for you. You will live in your new home for years to come, so invest the time required to find one that suits your needs.

After jumping through the hoops to find a great property, do not ignore warning signs that your dream home may be a money pit. Hire a talented home inspector and follow up on the results.

While every property will have a few issues, if the issues begin to pile up or a serious problem is found, walk away and find a better property. It is better to spend a few more months looking for a great home than spending years dealing with the issues you ignored.