If you’re like most people, choosing a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. From selecting the right neighborhood to determining a price range that works for your budget, there’s no shortage of things to consider.

A good real estate professional can guide you through the buying process, but the final decision is yours. That’s why it’s important to have a solid criteria for comparing the homes that you view. Here, we’ll look at the most important features you should keep in mind.

To make comparison shopping even easier, we also recommend downloading our home hunting checklist!

 

Adding up the costs

The overall cost of a home includes a lot more than its sticker price. Here are some of the most significant homeownership costs you should be aware of before you buy.

• Property taxes

• Utilities

• Repairs

Property taxes in D.C. are some of the lowest in the nation, but they’re still a significant expense.

If you’re about to purchase a particular home, you’ll want to be aware of the taxes you can expect to pay. Luckily, there are online calculators that can help—or you can get in touch with the local assessor’s office for assistance.

Of course, you can’t forget about utilities. While different homeowners use varying amounts of heat, electricity, and other utilities, you can get a pretty good idea of how much your monthly averages will be for a given home. Just ask the current homeowner if you can see their utility bills—most seller’s won’t mind.

Lastly, major repairs can cost an arm and leg. If a furnace is on its last legs, it could end up costing anywhere from $2,000-$15,000 to replace. Make sure you ask a home’s current owner about the age and condition of all major systems and appliances.

 

Size and style

Whether you’re home hunting as a young professional or a growing family, the size and style of your home matters. Here are a few things to make note of.

• Square footage

• Number of bed and bathrooms

• Home type

• Parking

Furniture arrangements and home decor can have a big impact on how we perceive the size of a space. As real estate agents, we’re pretty good at gauging square footage—but even we’re surprised sometimes. So make sure you get the numbers you need.

Most home hunters have a pretty good idea of what type of home they want and how many bedrooms and bathrooms they need. But it’s still a good idea to write this information down, especially if you’re looking at both condos and townhouses.

Parking can make a break a buyer’s decision to purchase a particular home, but there are times when the type of parking available doesn’t matter as much. Sharing a driveway might not bother you—just be aware of your preferences before you start looking.

 

Indoor features

Keeping track of differences between the houses you view can get pretty complicated. Simplify the process by marking down all important indoor features for future reference. Here are some general considerations:

• Heating/cooling systems

• Major appliances

• Natural light

• Flooring

When it comes to heating, do you have a preference for electric, gas, or oil heating systems? Gas is usually the cheapest, while oil is typically the most expensive. Cooling is another important consideration. There’s a big difference between central air and a window unit. The inclusion of major appliances, such as a washer and dryer, may also be a factor in your decision.

Don’t forget about flooring. Many buyers have a strong preference for hardwood. If you fall into this camp, be sure to check which type of flooring is used in each room.

 

Kitchen

• Dishwasher

• Refrigerator

• Stove

• Finishes

Is a fridge or dishwasher included—and if so, are you happy with the make and model? For many buyers, stove type is also important. We’ve worked with people who strongly prefer gas stoves, as well as those who’d rather use electric.

Most people are particularly finicky about finishes in their kitchen, and we don’t blame them! 

Before you go into a viewing, ask yourself how much stainless steel appliances or quartz countertops matter to you. Are you willing to remodel a kitchen that doesn’t have them?

 

Bedrooms

• Flooring

• Closet space

• Differences between bedrooms

Check bedrooms for flooring type and closet space, and be sure to consider the needs of individual family members. Are some bedrooms substantially bigger than others?

 

Bathrooms

• Bathing options

• Finishes

There are two kinds of people in this world: shower people, and bath people. Depending on what you and your family members prefer, you may want to make sure you have a bathtub and shower in every bathroom.

For most home hunters, there’s a big difference between linoleum and tile flooring. So make sure you also mark down the finishes in each bathroom.

 

Outdoor features

• Lot size

• Landscaping

• Deck, patio, or pool?

• Home siding type

• Roof age & condition

If you’re buying a detached home, choosing the right lot size for your family and lifestyle is important. But the quality of your landscaping matters too. If a lawn is unkempt, how much cost and effort will it take to improve it? On the flip side, complicated landscaping or a pool will require a lot of maintenance.

Don’t forget to note the type and quality of each home’s siding, and make sure you ask about the age of a home’s roof (since roofs can be very costly to replace).

 

Neighborhood

• Transit

• Parks

• Nearby amenities

• Schools

• Noise level

Does proximity to public transit matter to you? What about your distance from highways, train tracks, and other potentially noisy areas? Do you care about being close to conveniences, such as grocery stores and other shops? Lastly, if you have children (or you’re planning to in the near future), you’ll definitely want to consider nearby schools and the school district you’re in.

 

Looking for a home that fits your criteria? We have the experience and neighbourhood expertise to help you find your dream home. To discuss your needs, call us at 202.270.1081, or send an email to anslie@thestokesgroup.com.

 

The Stokes Group is a team of dedicated professionals who have passion for the real estate business and will advocate for our clients with the utmost honesty, integrity, and confidentiality. We believe in building solid relationships with our clients and that starts by getting to know who we are. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.