7 Lifestyle Factors to Consider When You’re Shopping for a Home

Choosing the perfect home for you and your family is a big decision. It’s not one to take lightly. You must find a home that has everything you need and want, and we’re not just talking about having all the right features, although those are important. You also have to take into consideration how the home aligns with your lifestyle to ensure it’ll be a good long-term fit. Below, find seven lifestyle factors to keep in mind during your home shopping process.

Your future

Although it’s not essential to have a rock-solid 10-year plan for your life, when it comes to selecting a house, it is helpful to have an idea of where you want to be in the future. For example, if you’re searching for a forever home where you’ll lay down roots and start a family, a home with extra space for you to grow into will perhaps be a better fit than a smaller place. So ask yourself: Does this home fit our lifestyle needs now, and will it still meet our needs a few years down the line?

Aesthetic

When you’re investing money on a house, you should love the way it looks and feels. Find a home with a style that fits your personality and taste, whether you prefer a modern and minimalist sanctuary or a charming, Spanish-style abode. That said, if every single detail of the home is not to your liking, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. Remember that you can make renovations and upgrades later on to transform it into your picture-perfect home.

School system

If you have kids or plan on having them in the future, the city’s school system is another thing you should consider. Do some research. Ask people that already live in the neighborhood what they think of the school system. Or, reverse engineer the home buying process by finding your ideal school system first and then searching for homes in that area.

Commute

In a big city like Los Angeles, where traffic is a significant issue, your daily commute is a crucial thing to factor in. Don’t just take your GPS’s word because their commute time predictions are not always 100% accurate. Give the commute a trial run if possible. It’s not until you make the drive from your potential new home to your workplace during rush hour that you’ll get a better sense of how long it’ll really take and if it’s sustainable.

Neighborhood vibe

Some people may thrive off of living right down the street from the city’s buzzy restaurants and hotspots, while others prefer to live somewhere quiet and near nature. There is no right or wrong choice. It’s about finding the neighborhood atmosphere that works for you. If you can, practice “living” in the neighborhood before you commit to buying there. Spend some time driving around. Explore local spots. Meet people from the community. It will give you a feel for what it’s like to live there to see if it aligns with your values.

Features

The features of the home itself should also play a major role in your decision-making process. Make a list of all the things you absolutely must have in your dream home (your non-negotiables) for you and your family to live happily and comfortably. Then write a list of extra wants and desires (the things that would be nice to have). Think about space, the number of rooms, storage, the layout of the home, outdoor space, etc. You may not find a home that ticks every single thing off your list, but as long as you don’t settle around your non-negotiables, you’ll surely land on a home that will fit your lifestyle.

Hobbies and activities

Your family’s hobbies and preferred activities may not seem like they’re a key detail to consider when buying a home, but we beg to differ. Things that you enjoy doing support your happiness and overall wellbeing making them indeed essential. Take those interests into account and gauge how easy or difficult it would be to participate in those activities if you purchase a particular home. For instance, if you love surfing, you’re bound to surf more often if you live near the beach versus further into the city.

Find your lifestyle match with the help of a Buyer’s Agent

Working closely with a real estate agent who specializes in helping homebuyers is the smartest way to shop for a new home. Buyer’s Agents are like matchmakers — they can connect you with the perfect home and neighborhood to fit your lifestyle. And, as a buyer, your partnership with an agent involves zero upfront costs.