Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it 
comes to buying a home.  Features that attract one home-buyer 
may repel another.

However, the one feature of interest to every home-buyer is 
price.  Getting the most home for your money is paramount.  The 
real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one 
street is a better buy than the home in next-to-new condition 
two blocks away.  That’s why knowing what to look for before 
you buy can save you time, energy and money down the line.

The first step is figuring out what kind of house you need.  A 
good buy is only a good buy if it meets your current and future 
living requirements.  Before shopping for a home, decide how 
much space you and your family require.  How many bedrooms, 
bathrooms?  Is a family room necessary?  Do you need a layout 
that will accommodate a lot of entertaining?  Do you prefer a 
spacious or compact work space in the kitchen?  If you have 
small children, can the house easily be childproofed?

Evaluate the front and back yards.  Is there enough space to 
accommodate your children?  Do you want a park-like or garden 
setting?  Do you enjoy yard work and gardening, or do you want 
a low-maintenance yard?  Take into consideration the cost of 
extensive landscaping and upkeep.

Next, determine how much work is required to make the house you 
are considering livable.  Make an honest assessment of your 
fix-it abilities.  How much work are you willing to do or pay 
someone else to do?  Do you have basic decorating, carpentry 
and plumbing skills?  If you plan to learn as you go, make 
sure you have accurately determined what you are getting into. 
Ask an experienced friend, family member or your real estate 
agent for their opinion, and be sure to consider how much 
remodeling inconvenience the rest of the family can handle.
 
Unless you are ready and able to tackle a major remodel, look 
for a house or condominium that needs only cosmetic improvements. 
These include painting, wallpapering and replacing items like 
flooring, window treatments, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, 
light fixtures, cabinet and interior door hardware and 
appliances.  Remember that even these simple changes can 
be costly if you have to make many of them.

Beware of improvements that seem easy enough at first glance 
buy may turn into major headaches and require a lot of money 
once you’ve moved in.  Remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, 
changes to the floor plan, room additions and redesigned 
landscaping are examples of seemingly minor changes that can 
easily eat away the money you thought you saved by selecting 
a so-called “bargain priced” home.  Of course, you may be 
perfectly willing to spend whatever money is needed to 
customize the house to match your tastes and needs.

Make sure major systems in the house are in good working 
condition.  The furnace, air-conditioning and plumbing should 
be up to date, since repairs can be costly.  Your agent can 
arrange to have a professional inspector determine whether the 
electrical wiring and any room additions are to code.  Local 
utilities often offer free or low-cost inspections to tell you 
if the house is energy-efficient.

Look for a house with universally popular selling points.  If 
you’re impressed, the next buyer down the line is bound to be, 
too.  For example, a roomy, modern east-to-clean kitchen is the 
best selling point a home can have.  A house with only one 
bathroom is less desirable than a house with two or more.  Many 
buyers expect at least three bedrooms, with a master bedroom 
that offers a feeling of privacy.  Lots of storage space and 
closets, especially walk-in closets, will be a real selling 
point.  Family rooms or “great rooms” also are desirable.  On 
closer examination, a house that looks like a bargain may lack 
some of these key features. 

Don’t forget the old adage:  location, location, location.  
Unless you’re looking for a fixer-upper, the house should be 
in a condition that is comparable to other homes in the 
neighborhood.  Avoid buying the biggest or fanciest home on 
the block.  Consider the amount of traffic or noise.  Homes 
located in a quiet area away from a busy street will command 
a higher price.  Make sure the schools in your district have 
a reputation for quality education and safety.  Nearby 
supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and theaters also 
will make a location more desirable.
 
Good community facilities also add appeal; pools, athletic 
fields, community centers, libraries and hospitals all add to 
a neighborhood’s value anddesirability.  Transportation needs 
also should be considered.  Is local public transit available?  
How long are typical commutes to places of current and potential 
employment?  Are there several alternate route?  How close is a 
major airport?  All of these can affect a home’s pricing.

Consider the cost of living in a home.  It’s important to 
consider not only purchase price but the monthly cost of living 
in a home.  Estimate your utility and maintenance costs.  For 
example, will the house need to be painted on a regular basis 
and will you need to spend money maintaining a swimming pool? 
Ask your agent about the property tax rate and whether increases 
are anticipated.  Will you have to pay special assessments for 
a homeowner’s association?  Consider the point in the life 
cycle of major household systems, such as the furnace, air 
conditioning, roof and kitchen appliances.

You can find a bargain!  Your first step should be to seek out 
a knowledgeable real estate agent with experience in the market 
areas where you wish to purchase a home.  Your agent can help 
you locate those properties that truly are “bargains” and help 
find the home that most closely matches your desires and needs.