How to Narrow Down Your Home Search When Buying a Home

While hunting for your dream home can be exciting, explore these essential tips for narrowing down your search when buying a home!

Although the housing market has softened, home searching remains a challenging process.

You have at least 900 thousand homes to choose from and an almost infinite amount of information at your fingertips. But with a bit of planning and research, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect place for you and your family.



If you’re buying a home, read on for some advice on how to reduce the number of options available.

Know How Much You Can Afford Before Searching for a Home

It helps to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your home hunt. Wait until you have all the information so that your decision is based on more than just an estimate. This will prevent you from accidentally falling in love with a home that’s way out of your budget!

Create a “Want” List and a “Need” List

If you’re not already familiar with the concept of a “wish list,” this is a great time to learn about it.

Write down everything you want your next home to have, no matter how outlandish. Describe your ideal home as if you were creating a fantasy.

Following this, make a list of must-haves. Think about things like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need, the distance to your work, what kind of neighborhood you want to live in, etc.

If you can find a house that meets all of your must-have criteria and a few of the things on your wish list, then you’ve found your dream home!

Determine the Best Location for Your New Home

As you begin the home-buying process, it’s important to consider where you want to live. Your location will impact many aspects of your life, including how far away from family and friends you will be and if the school district is good for your children. It also affects how high your commuting expenses are each month.

Only look at homes that are near to the places you often go to. This will make your life more convenient and enjoyable.

Research School Districts

If you have children or plan to in the future, it is important to research school districts before you buy a home. Look at test scores, compare schools within the neighborhood, and find out what kind of extracurricular activities are offered. Your kids will spend a lot of time at school, so you want to make sure they are getting the best experience possible.

A good school district will also be a major factor in the resale value of your home, so it’s important to choose wisely.

Get Help Buying a Home for Your Family

Now you know what to look for in a new home. Take these tips into account when searching for your next place, and soon enough, you will be living in your dream home!

If you need help buying a home in Salt Lake City, get in touch with one of our top-rated real estate agents. Susie Martindale Group can help you find the best listings, negotiate the best deal, and come up with a plan to move your family in.