Spring is a popular season for homebuyers due to the mild weather and increased inventory. With the increased activity, you’ll often see home prices rise and more people trying to buy the available supply of homes. Home inspectors will be harder to schedule, builders will be working to complete homes for the spring and summer markets, real estate agents will kick their marketing into high gear…much like the first spring flowers or the first sighting of a robin, you’ll definitely know that the spring buying season is here!

Location

This may be one of the more obvious factors, but you want to be sure you’re satisfied with the location of your new home. What’s important to you? Area schools, communte, walkability, safety? Make a list of your location deal breakers and stick to it. A great home might dazzle you, but as the years pass and the new home excitement wears off, you won’t want to be stuck in a location you don’t love.

Neighborhood

The area might be a great fit, but what about the neighborhood? When you’re seriously considering a home, visit on week days and weekends, evenings and daytime. Pay attention to resident behavior and the neigborhood atmosphere and see if it’s in line with your expectations.

Home Site

Beyond neighborhood and location, are you happy with the way the home is situated? Is the yard private enough for you? Are there too many stairs? Is the yard safe for children or pets? Again, a home could be a great fit on the inside, but little situational problems can become glaring problems over time.

Price

Of course you’ll want it to be in your price range, but there’s a lot more to price than just that. If you are getting a loan, the home will have to have an appraisal performed on it so that the lender can determine if you are paying fair market value for the home. A lender doesn’t want to lend you money on something that is worth less than the price they’re basing their loan off of.

Size

Of course, you want to be comfortable in your new home. You may also want some room to grow a family or host out of town guests. Think about how your new space will be used and whether or not the size fits your current lifestyle and your future expectations.

The Kitchen

If you tend to cook regularly, entertain guests, or generally use the kitchen as a gathering space, paying special attention to the kitchen as you house hunt is crucial. Appliances can be replaced, walls can be repainted, but changes in layout can be costly and time consuming. Make sure you’re happy with your counter space, eating area, and walking space.

Storage

Older homes tend to have smaller storage areas while newer homes usually take extra storage into consideration. If you have a lot of extras – sporting equipment, garden supplies, holiday decorations, etc – be sure to take this into account as you look.