When I moved out of my parent’s house and into my freshman dorm room, I had no idea that my existing concept of “home” would change so dramatically, or so often. Throughout college and my first few years in the “real world,” I found a reason to move almost every year. Yes, and always during the summer, and never without a flight of stairs on at least one end. My father still complains about the furniture he moved on multiple occasions.

As I grew a little older, and a wee bit more mature, my lifestyle moved in the permanent nomad direction, and I found myself longing to live somewhere for a matter of years- not months- that actually felt like a home. Not to mention, starting a professional life, it definitely felt a little less-than- professional coming home to a noisy apartment and fighting for a parking space.

Are you Ready for a Home?

Before I would recommend taking on the incredible journey to home ownership, spend time doing some research. Consult a professional, there’s a lot of information out there, and a lot of opinions on the best route to take. A Certified Mortgage Planner will be able to educate you about mortgage options, escrow accounts, and HOA fees, this will give you a good look at the entire process and a better idea of what to expect.

And then, let the search begin. Be prepared for several months, and an emotional roller coaster ride. The process isn’t always the smoothest, but I would recommend considering the following:

1. The right realtor will lead you to the right house. Don’t pick a real estate agent out of the blue. Go through a referral of family or a trusted professional. You should have full confidence in their skills and more importantly, they should listen to everything! You should never repeat your preferences and never feel pressured into anything! Choose someone who you feel completely comfortable with, who listens to your priorities and your concerns, and who has your best interests at heart. Not only is this a major life decision, but you’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person.
2. Educate yourself. You can compare buying a house to planning a wedding or expecting a baby, in that every person you know will have an opinion on what you should do, say and feel. But remember, though this is a huge decision, it’s your decision, and one you need to be comfortable with, independent of any outside influences. So, before you start asking your friends and family for their advice, reach out to a professional and educate yourself on all sides of the process: mortgage options, comparable properties, market trends. You’ll then be able to filter everyone else’s experience and advice through your own information.
3. Rome wasn’t built in a day. You likely won’t be able to update, furnish, or decorate your new home in a day, a month, or even a year. Don’t feel the pressure to transform your new home into a Pottery Barn catalog. You may lose your mind and hurt your credit score in the process! Its’ perfectly OK to update the bathrooms, do the landscaping and buy furniture and decorations in stages. No one expects your place to be perfect right away!! Plus, there are some awesome ways to add character and décor on a budget. Hit up First Fridays at River Market, or a thrift store. Pinterest will become your new best friend!
4. Two Words: Hidden Cost. Everyone warns you about this, but I will warn you again. You will be giving money to exterminators, carpet cleaners, landscapers, and plumbers. Where you should NOT be spending money is at the closing table. Make sure to discuss the every detail of your closing costs with your Mortgage Planner to ensure you’re not paying any ridiculous closing costs or unnecessary fees! The costs should be incurred after you close. Remember to prepare for strange and unexpected costs – broken heating systems, leaking roofs- and they love to arrive around holidays and vacations. A Home Owner’s Warranty would help avoid these unexpected expenses! Be sure to work with your Realtor to negotiate this into your sales contract.

While these are NOT the only crucial factors in the home-buying process, they may be the ones that have the most surprising impacts on your experience. Above all, remember that whatever it looks like and wherever it sits- you should absolutely love the home you buy. It will be a lot of money, time and work, but also will be where you live, love and build memories hopefully for many years to come.