House hunters have a lot on their plate. In a competitive real estate market, buying a place can make you question why you wanted to move in the first place. But it will be worth it when you finally find your dream home.
When you’re searching the market, it can be tempting to look at anything and everything. Knowing what you really want out of your next home can help you cut through the noise and focus on those properties that speak to you.
As you set out on your quest to find the home that’s right for you, these are some of the things to consider to help you focus your efforts.
Old vs New Homes
It’s impossible to deny that there’s a certain charm to heritage houses, but they come at a cost. Older homes are expensive to maintain and may need some extensive renovation work before you can move in. You’re more likely to have to replace expensive hardware like water heaters and HVAC systems, make roof repairs, and keep up with all the little things that inevitably go wrong in an older home.
If you’re looking for a more hassle-free home, buying new is the way to go. When the appliances and HVAC system are all new, your initial years of homeownership are a lot more likely to go smoothly.
Even homes that are only a couple of decades old can become expensive quickly. While the first decade of a home’s lifespan is often the least demanding for maintenance, as houses get older, costs can start to rise.
Working with a new home builder can also be less stressful than competing with other homebuyers on the market. They work with you to build the perfect house and deliver new construction that’s ready for you.
Townhome Bungalows vs Detached Houses
Detached singles are usually the first thing people have in mind when they think of buying their dream home, but you’d be surprised how private and spacious our townhome bungalows can be. Patios and gardens are smartly designed for better privacy and our one-floor designs feature plenty of space.
If you are looking to maximize your outdoor space, a detached home is likely the way to go. However, don’t forget about the maintenance that goes into a big yard. With a townhome bungalow, you don’t have to worry as much about outdoor maintenance.
Customizing Your Home
One of the perks of working with new home builders in Niagara on the Lake is the opportunity to customize. Depending on what you’re looking for, choosing from existing floor plans may just not cut it for your dream home.
You have multiple options when you customize your home with Blythwood Homes. If you have unique desires from your home, you can talk to us about developing a completely custom layout, or you can work with us on a custom look and feel that will capture everything you’re after in a dream home. Here’s what customization with us looks like:
- Work with a décor specialist from Blythwood Homes to discuss custom changes and selections.
- Work directly with suppliers to choose flooring, fixtures, cabinets, appliances, paint, countertops, showers, etc.
- Review electrical plans at the framing stage and add or move lighting in your home.
- Select windows and doors according to trim, size, and style.
- Choose any upgrades you want to complete the home of you dreams.
Finding the right home for you means looking for qualities that meet your needs, rather than features that just improve resale value. Customizing features means the freedom to get everything you want in your dream home from the start.
Finding Your Dream Location
Location is one of the most important parts of house hunting. Where you live plays a huge role in your happiness and quality of life. There’s no single mix of amenities and qualities that’s bound to make everyone happy. It depends on what you’re looking to get out of your home.
Start by breaking down where generally you would like to live: the city, the suburbs, or a small town.
Cities: If you’re willing to sacrifice space and put up with a bit more noise in exchange for endless shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities, downsizing to the city might be for you.
Suburbs: In-between the two, suburban life is often what many people are looking to leave when they look for their dream home. While the suburbs can be a great place to raise a family, empty nesters often look for a change in lifestyle and head for either the city or a smaller town.
Small Towns: If you live for peace and quiet, not to mention real estate prices that let you do a lot more with your budget, small town life is for you. You don’t have to deal with traffic and you’re closer to fresh food and natural landscapes. Small towns offer closer communities where you’ll get to know your neighbours in no time. One of the great things about our adult lifestyle communities in Niagara on the Lake and Ridgeway is that they also offer many of the amenities of city life, including the culture, shopping, and dining. Niagara is a great place for those who want it all.
Choosing the Right Community
Once you know the general type of location or area you want to live in, you can start looking for the right community. Great communities are safe places where there are opportunities for neighbours to get to know each other, where amenities like healthcare, shopping, and entertainment are close by, and where everyone cares about where they live. Those are the features that make Blythwood Home communities some of the greatest adult lifestyle communities in Ontario.
Finding the right home starts with deciding what you want out of it. Once you know what type of house you want to live in and what kind of location you want to live in, you can start looking at communities and houses with confidence.