DigitalBuddySince, for most of us, the value of our home, represents our single – biggest, financial asset, wouldn’t it make sense, to be certain, we proceeded, forward, in the best, most logical manner? This means, knowing, and understanding, our needs, goals, and objectives, in terms of our finances, personal comfort zone, needs, goals, priorities, and what we seek, need, deserve, desire, and want, in the house, we purchase. Potential homeowners should carefully examine, and ask themselves, where they STAND, and whether, the so – called, American Dream, is for them. With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and how it might make one, pursue their quest, in a personally, wiser, and more satisfying way.
1. Schools; shopping: Not only, do most of us, want to provide the finest education, to our families, it’s important to recognize, the direct correlation, in most cases, between quality, local educational resources, and maintaining property values! It’s also important, at times, to consider, school taxes, and their impact on affordability! Another key consideration, to many, is convenience to shopping, especially for food, and certain others, essential conveniences!
2. Transportation: How important is convenient access to mass transportation, to you? Are the trains, buses, and highways/ expressways, meet your needs, and make your life easier, and more stress – free?
3. Area: Before buying any house, walk around the neighborhood. Consider, whether, the specific location is appealing, and what you like, and/ or, dislike about the neighborhood. Examine the specific strengths and weaknesses of the area, and see if it meets your primary, and key needs, and priorities. Is it safe, convenient (in terms of your primary needs, such as transportation, ease of commuting, shopping, Houses of Worship, etc), and someplace, you want to live?
4. Needs: Closely examine your needs, both, currently, and into the future, and see if the specific house, meets your immediate, as well as longer = term needs, and necessities!
5. Determine: Are you capable of looking at a potential home, without letting your emotions, dominate your logic? Can you, effectively, and efficiently, determine, what might be, the right house, for you, and your family? What do you feel comfortable with, in terms of downpayment, monthly costs, maintenance, and your personal job security? Take the time, to determine, if it’s a good – fit, for you?
Take your time, and make the wisest personal decision. Identify your personal preferences, and proceed, in a head/ heart balance, so you clearly know, from the onset, where you STAND!