Living in the Big Apple is like a dream for many. And, if that dream is about to get real for you, then consider yourself lucky. Homes aren’t hard to get by, regardless of what it is you’re looking for in a dream home. Of course, each homeowner has their respective priorities and standards as to what a dream home is. But there are certain tried-and-tested metrics to help you narrow down your selection of possibly hundreds of homes to choose from.
There are numerous NYC homes for sale you can choose from. When buying and choosing your dream home, keep in mind that it’s important to be well-informed on the different buyer trends and tips. With that information, you may navigate more effectively through your choices of homes to opt for.
Keep reading below for more ideas that may help you in finding your dream home in New York City.
Find Out Your Credit Score
First and foremost, you need to be aware of the fact that properties in New York City can come with quite a hefty price tag. Especially if you’re coming from somewhere with quite an affordable standard of living, the prices of homes in New York City may overwhelm you. More so, when you’re buying your dream home.
Perhaps you’re considering taking out a loan or a mortgage to finance your dream home. If you may be looking at an expensive price tag, it’s important for you to start by finding out and evaluating what your credit score is. That way, you can assess early on how credit-attractive you might be to financial institutions in New York.
A credit score is a necessary number, as it gives an overall picture of your financial health. When your credit score is good, it’s easier for you to get a loan. In effect, the chances of scoring your dream home may also be possibly higher.
Choose The Right Neighborhood
New York City is quite vast geographically. This brings in the advantage of having a lot of potential neighborhoods to choose from. And, when you’re choosing your dream home, you have to focus on the neighborhood you know you’ll be happy in. If not, no matter how attractive your dream home may be, you may not enjoy living in it all because you’re not satisfied with the neighborhood it sits in.
There’s no hard and fast rule to choosing the right neighborhood. This still boils to your preference. But there are certain factors that can help you decide on which area is best for you, such as:
- The local lifestyle, as it can significantly impact how easily you can move through your day-to-day life in the big city;
- The average home values in your neighborhood, so you can assess how fast your dream home’s value will appreciate;
- The overall safety reputation, as certainly you wouldn’t consider a home to be your ‘dream’ home when its neighborhood holds a bad reputation of crimes.
Consider The Lot Size
If you imagine your dream house to be located in or close to the city center, then you may be looking at the apartment, townhouse, or condominium size. Land may be hard to get by. If your dream house is one you envision with a lawn and all, then the suburbs of New York City should be where you’re looking at.
For the latter, you have to consider the lot size as well. You don’t have to buy any more than you need. Keep a figure of the size in your head. Then, use that as a deciding factor of which properties to scrap off your list, and what to retain. Obviously, the bigger you want your dream home to be, the bigger the area has to be as well.
Hire An Experienced Agent
When you’re entering the busy real estate market of one of the most attractive locations in the world, it’s a must to have a real estate agent helping you out. Don’t neglect this. You are buying what would qualify as your dream home, after all. When it’s your dream home you’re looking for, you shouldn’t settle.
Your real estate agent may handle all of the hard work and guide you with the necessary processes. All you have to do is work closely with them to identify what your preferences are in a dream home. Then, they’ll do the searching for you.
Because New York City is an attractive market both for buyers and for sellers, you’re certain to come across a wide range of agents. Don’t settle for just about any other real estate agent you’ll find. As much as possible, you’ll want to be thorough with this process of looking for one.
When in the process of selecting one, pay attention to the following details:
- Years of experience selling luxury homes, or what to you is a dream home;
- Feedback and reviews from previous clients;
- The number of sales closed in the previous year.
Consider The Number Of Bedrooms
The bigger your family size, the more bedrooms you’ll need to have. This tip is often one of the most neglected tips when homeowners buy their dream house. They may tend to focus on the aesthetics and other factors that the number of rooms is neglected. Remember that there’s nothing dreamy about feeling cramped in a small space. You’ll want to find a home that meets not just your current size needs but also the future, if possible.
For instance, it’s always good to have an extra one to two rooms. You can easily convert those into a playroom, office, or perhaps even a guest bedroom.
Final Thoughts
After reading through the guide above, are you now feeling more confident that you now know more about buying a home in New York City? The idea of buying your dream home in the concrete jungle might seem like a task as herculean as its buildings, but it’s certainly not one that’s seemingly impossible to achieve. It just takes a lot more effort to do and get by on your part. Consider the New York City real estate market like any other out there. When you put in the right effort, you may soon be opening the doors to your very own dream home.