If you’re just starting your dream home search, chances are you’re already realizing there are a number of decisions you’ll have to make along the way. But with careful thought and planning, you’ll soon find yourself moving into the home of your dreams in no time!
Here are the first of 12 questions to ask yourself as you begin the process. More to follow next week!
What kind of weather do you want?
Do you simply want to escape the tyranny of the snow shovel, yet still enjoy four distinct seasons? Or would you prefer mild weather all year long, as in Florida? The farther south you move, the milder and shorter winters are likely to be. The average temperature in Williamsburg, Va., in January is 39 degrees, while the January average in Jacksonville, Fla., is 53 degrees. But make sure you’re being realistic about the weather you want and how important that factor is to you. A significant number of Florida transplants find that they do miss the seasons after all – and need to be closer to loved ones up North – so they move partway back, often to the Carolinas. Dubbed “halfbacks,” these fugitives from Florida now account for more new North and South Carolina residents than New York does.
How close do you want to be to the water?
There are two issues here – and the first is lifestyle. If you’re planning to enjoy visits to the beach or lake, proximity is obviously a must. But beyond that is the issue of water’s impact on investment value. A recent National Association of Realtors survey showed that the top criterion for 57 percent of home buyers is proximity to water. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders estimates that a body of water nearby raises the price of a non-urban Southern home by a whopping 44 percent!
How close do you need to be to top-flight medical care?
Of course, if you or your spouse is dealing with serious health issues, this is of paramount concern. But even if that’s not the case, try to project your needs down the road. If you’re retiring and expect to live out your life in your new location, you need to plan for possible scenarios five, 10 or more years down the line. The same principle holds true when you make home-building decisions. Experts suggest that right from the get-go you should plan for comfort in the event of physical limitations some day – i.e. make hallways wide enough for wheelchairs and keep at least one bedroom on the first floor.
How close do you want to be to fine restaurants, culture, shopping and other amenities of a city or large town?
If you’re used to living in an area where groceries and restaurants are only five minutes away, don’t assume it will be easy to adjust to a 20-or-30-minute drive for staples in your new home. Likewise, if arts, culture and fine dining are important to you, you should probably consider relocating near a city or large town.
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