Buying a home involves a lot of decisions, such as making sure it is the right one before you sign on the dotted line. If you only view the property once, you might miss something that’s important. Many real estate agents suggest viewing a home at least twice before making an offer.

During the first visit, you may not see any of the negative aspects of the property, especially if they aren’t readily apparent. You are also likely to overlook less-than-perfect circumstances if the previous home you viewed has a lot of areas needing repairs or upgrades. When you arrange for a second visit, you have the opportunity to check out some of the finer details. For example, you may want to check:

• If your washer and dryer will fit 
• If the rooms are spacious enough for your furniture 
• If there are enough closets 
• If the garage is large enough for your existing vehicles 

Not only should you make the effort to visit the house twice, but you should check out the surrounding neighborhood several times before you make a formal offer. Doing so gives you a chance to discover the positive and negative aspects of the property before you finalize the deal.

Visit During Different Times of the Day

No matter where the property is located, it is a good idea to view the home at different times of the day. Doing so allows you to see each of the following aspects of living there:

• How noisy is the area in the morning, afternoon, and night? If you visit during the middle of the day, children may be at school and parents might be working outside of the home. You won’t be able to gauge how quiet the area is. Additionally, if the neighborhood is noisy, you may be faced with a daily challenge. If you work from home, you may need several hours of solitude. On the other hand, you might just appreciate the presence of small children in the neighborhood, particularly if you have a few of your own.
• How much sun and shade does the property experience at different hours of the day? Where the sun shines may affect your landscaping plans, making it impossible to have a vegetable garden or plant the flowers you like best. Not enough or too much sun can also impact your heating and cooling expenses.
• How well lit is your street? Is the home shrouded in darkness, creating a dangerous situation? While a darkened facade might be a reason for concern, it isn’t enough of a reason to knock this home off your list. After all, outside lighting can easily solve the problem.
• How heavy is traffic throughout the day? Does rush hour make traveling to and from work less than ideal? Your street may not be filled with cars during rush hour. However, the local highways near you might just be congested. It’s a good idea to find this out before you relocate.

Visit during Good and Bad Weather

Most likely, you won’t be able to view the home during different seasons of the year. However, getting a look at the property during good and bad weather is a good investment of your time. You shouldn’t expect any surprises on pleasant days, but you might discover a few during stormy weather. For example, surface drainage can be an issue that leads to unpleasant circumstances.

It’s always a good idea to see how attractive the property looks on a rainy, gloomy day. While this aspect might not impact your decision, at least you won’t have any unpleasant surprises if you do make the purchase.

Visit During The Weekday and the Weekend

Neighborhood activity typically increases on the weekend when many families are off from school and work. If you value peace and quiet, you may want to include weekend activity in your decision-making process.

On the other hand, you might be looking to meet the neighbors and make a friend or two. If you have children, you might want to consider visiting the neighborhood during bus pickup or drop-off. Doing so gives you a good idea as to the number of playmates your children can have.

Keep in mind that it is easier to let a home go before you make an offer. Many home buyers view the home for the second time after making a bid on it. As a result, they may be more willing to overlook dirty carpeting and scuff marks on the wall simply because these issues have easy fixes. Why settle for a home that you know needs fixing up if your dream home is still out there somewhere? View homes that you are interested in buying more than once so you can make the best decision possible for your needs.

There’s nothing like building your own home to realize your dreams of finding the perfect living space. It might take longer than buying a resale, but many people find it is worth the wait. Here are some discussion points to review with contractors in your area.

Avoid the bidding war

This is a wild time to be a home buyer. Across the country, resale houses are getting many, many offers with prices climbing far above appraised values. You can eliminate that stress by purchasing a new home. New construction houses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The price is set instead of multiple buyers bidding against you. There’s no appraisal gap, meaning you don’t have to come up with more money when your lender will only fund you for the appraised value of the home. You also don’t have to waive inspections or other contingencies to get into a new build like you might with a preowned home. 

You can choose a home that fits your needs

New construction means you can personalize the house to suit your needs rather than remodeling an older home. Tall ceilings, big windows, and wide open floor plans make a house look bright and welcoming. Many developers have flexible floor plans that allow you to make changes such as enlarging closets, adding a home office, and redesigning the kitchen and bathrooms. You might want to include a private suite to make multi-generational living possible. Design your home the way you want it. 

Create your own style as you decorate

You have a clean slate going into a brand new house. Older homes may have plenty of charm, but that might also include dark, worn cabinets, shag carpeting, and outdated floral wallpaper. You can start fresh to bring in the colors and finishes that suit you. Get the gourmet kitchen of your dreams, the perfect bedroom, and a luxurious spa bathroom. Choosing everything from door knobs to backsplash tiles not only makes the home personal, it can also be fun to do!

Choose a community with great amenities

New builds are frequently in new neighborhoods with excellent amenities. You could have a swimming pool, a clubhouse suitable for parties, tennis courts, playgrounds, walking trails, or water features like a fishing lake or fountains. If you have a growing family and choose an area with good schools, you will likely find many of your neighbors are in the same stage of life. There will be plenty of playmates for your kids and new friends for you. Likewise, if you are retirees looking for an active lifestyle, there are new neighborhoods that will give you exactly what you want.

Get energy efficiency and less maintenance

A new home nearly always requires less maintenance than a resale. You can choose building materials for your new house that can reduce future problems, long-term and short-term. You also can make the new house energy efficient from the beginning. Ask your developer for the energy rating of their homes. Choose energy efficient appliances, upgrade the insulation, and more. Plan on a greener, cleaner home with lower monthly utility bills. 

You always benefit from an agent’s expertise

Many real estate agents have years of experience working with new construction homes. They can act as your advocate with the builder if something goes wrong, such as incorrect placement of a kitchen island or closet doors that aren’t the ones you originally chose. A new home purchase has many of the same requirements as an existing one. There will be the inspection, appraisal, walk-throughs, and a closing date. Your agent will help you negotiate each step, bringing value to the whole process.

There is a pride of ownership with a newly built home that is different from any other feeling. You created this special place where no one else has lived before you. It has all been customized especially for you. It just may be the choice you want to make.

Moving to a new home can be so exciting, but the move itself is a stressful, hassle-filled activity that no one enjoys. You and your family will make plans to get through the packing, moving, and unpacking as easily as possible. Everyone is in the know…except for your precious pets. They will be confused and upset by the flurry of activity with too many strange people, too many boxes, and unfamiliar surroundings. Help them make the transition to their new home by providing as many comforts as possible. 

Preparing for your move

Make sure your cat or dog has a secure and up-to-date collar with identification tags. Having your pet microchipped is always the safest choice. In the event of the worst-case scenario and your anxious pet escapes, a happy reunion is much more likely with a microchip in place.

Keep your pet’s daily routine normal in the days before the move. Bedtime, feeding times, walks, and playtime should stay the same. Introduce boxes early so they seem like a regular part of the household, but watch out for chewing puppies. They’re a bad mix with tape dispensers, bubble wrap, and boxes! 

Introduce your cat to a pet carrier early. Cats are not fond of being contained, so keep it in a quiet place with a few treats and favorite toys inside. Leave the door open so the cat can inspect it whenever she likes in the few weeks before the move. If the cat decides this is a cozy retreat, she may be more willing to stay safely inside during the bustle of moving day. Dogs are more content to stay in a small place, especially if they are already crate-trained. They, too, need familiar toys and their blanket inside the crate with them. 

Cats and dogs will be unsettled during the hectic moving day no matter where they are in the house. You will be very busy, so watching over your furry friend will be difficult. Decide if your pet would be happier in a boarding facility during packing and unpacking. Perhaps a friend would be willing to take him for the day. You can wait until after the truck is unloaded before you bring him to his new home. 

Traveling to the new address

If you are driving across town, your pet’s anxiety won’t last as long. Your dog probably loves a car ride anyway. If your cat is not a traveler, as most aren’t, keep her in the carrier which is buckled securely with a seatbelt or wedged safely with other boxes you are transporting in the backseat. For a long trip in the car, have all the essentials with you: food, water, bowls, treats, toys, chewies, leash, blanket, and kitty litter and box if you are staying in a hotel overnight. Resist the temptation to take the cat out of the carrier on the road. There is too high a risk that  your panicky kitty could make a dash out an open door or window. As always, you can’t leave a pet in the car on a hot day when you stop for a break. If possible, take turns going inside to use the restroom, and go to restaurants with drive-up windows or curbside service for meals. Dogs need to be walked during your break times. Offer water to your pet, even though they might not be interested in it while you are on the road. If your pet hates to travel, you might want to consult your veterinarian about a mild sedative to keep them calmer on the trip. 

Finding a place in your new home

Try to minimize your dog’s or cat’s anxiety as much as possible. Some pets will want to be near you all the time. Others may be more comfortable finding a quiet corner for a while. Be patient while they learn the new rooms in your home, figuring out the new sights and smells until the place feels like their own. Like you, they need time to adjust. Don’t be surprised if you hear more barking or whining, see lots of pacing, and changes in eating or “potty” routines. Eventually, it will all get back to normal. 

If your dog is used to a doggy door, give him one at your new place. If your cat is used to outside time, stay with her while she’s outside. It will be safer if you keep the cat inside for at least two weeks, however. A cat needs to feel like the new place is home before making a solo trip outside, or she may disappear. 

If you think buying new pet supplies for the new home would be fun, wait a few weeks before making the change. Sure, you may be reluctant to take a ratty old dog bed into your wonderful new home, but your pet is going to appreciate familiar favorites. The same old shredded blankets, gnawed toys, and beat up food bowls will help your pet to feel more at home. Get the new goodies later. 

Stick to your pet’s regular routine as much as possible. The same times for feeding, walking, and sleeping will help give a sense that not everything is different. Once your pet has settled in, routine changes will be easier on her. This is the time for plenty of hugs, playtime, and attention with you. The extra affection will work to alleviate bad and nervous behaviors while your pet figures out your new place is permanent and safe.