Buying your first home comes with a lot of emotions, there's the excitement of looking for the perfect spot, the anxiety after the documents have been signed and then the high that comes with getting those keys. It's an emotional ride like no other and it's not one that we enter into lightly. What many of us learn in the process is that there usually is not any one thing about our homes that are perfect, often, buying a home is a series of compromises partly because we often want a lot more than we can afford. We figure out what we absolutely must have and try to find that getting a few wants and many of the needs.
By the time it's time to move on to your second home, you're a bit wiser. What we learned in our first home are things that we could have gotten but because we were inexperienced we didn't think were necessities. Many buy new homes because of a change in their families size but there are other things that many have said that if they'd known then what they know now, there would be some deal breakers for them.
I took to my personal Facebook page and asked folks what were deal breakers and what would they want in their next home. I will be honest, I expected to hear all about luxurious kitchens and baths but some of the answers were surprisingly simple things. A few homeowners got homes with just 1 bathroom, they simply want a 2nd one. Adding a new bathroom to an existing home can be quite costly but if they already exist, they are definitely a valuable asset. In the folks who responded to the question, many of them are empty nesters or live alone and a 2nd bathroom is still something they desired.
Quite a few of the respondents wanted more natural light and those in the north wanted finished basements. In some states, basements are considered the foundation and the heated square footage is not taxed which is truly an added perk if the owner takes the time to finish the space.
The next answer I found interesting, it was the way the home faced and the light fixtures. Homes with masters facing East meant morning sunlight pouring in first thing in the morning so blackout curtains and shades were an expense that was unexpected if sleeping late were to happen at all. Also, homes that didn't have a lot of natural light meant lower electric bills for air conditioning but more lights inside being used especially during the winter months when it gets dark earlier.
There were a number of people who just wished they'd done a more thorough job of checking out the dishwashers, garbage disposals and hot water heaters, having to replace them far sooner than they'd anticipated.
I would love to know what would be a deal maker and a deal breaker for you. Join us on our Facebook page and come tell us what would make your next home better for you than your current one. If you live in the Orlando area and are looking for a new home, a move up home or an investment property, we want to help you. Contact us at 352-404-8960, we look forward to making sure you get your deal maker.
