Questions to Consider When Buying a Home in Denver

Your neighbors check in to see how you are doing. The local coffee shop produces some of the best coffee you’ve ever tasted, and later in the day, the craft brewery is unveiling their new beer of the month. Skiers and snowboarders are coming back from a day in the mountains. With activities going on every weekend, anyone can find their true calling in Denver.

Once you made your decision to relocate to Denver, are you considering where to live in Denver? If you haven’t found your dream home, or if you are currently renting and are looking for a home you can buy, which qualities of the home are important for you? Do you prefer a place close to the mountains, or do you need three bathrooms, no more and no less?

The first step before buying a home is to create a list of the qualities you value most in a home. Then, rank these qualities from most important to least important. That way, if you have twenty things on your list, a home can match your top three or four qualities and you will still be satisfied with your purchase.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself before buying a home in Denver:

1. Where Are You Looking?

Location is important in real estate, and location should be one of your top priorities. Many factors depend where your dream home is located:

• Suburbs or City — Do you prefer living in the suburbs or in the heart of Denver?
• Employment — Do you want to be close to work, or do you not care how close you are to your job because you work from home?
• Coffee Shops — If you work from home, which coffee shops are nearby for work?
• Children — How many diapers do you have to change? Do you need a bigger home to fit your family’s needs? Are you looking to downsize and live the empty-nester lifestyle after all your children move out?
• Schools — Speaking of children, which schools will your children attend?
• Mountains — How close do you want to be to the mountains?
• Friends and Family — Do you want a home close to your friends and other family members?
• Longevity — Do you see yourself living in a certain neighborhood for years? How long will you stay in the home before you re-sell it, flip it, or rent it out for others to use?

2. What Does Your House Look Like?

Consider what your house will look like, both inside and out. Questions to consider for your Denver home include:

• Type of Home — Will you live in a mansion? Two-story ranch-style home? A one-story minimalist home? A spaceship?
• Number of Bedrooms and Baths — How many bathrooms, showers and bedrooms do you need in your home?
• Condition of Home — Do you want to find a cheap home you can fix up, or do you want a home that is hassle-free and ready for you to move in tomorrow?
• Storage — How many bikes and skis will you have to store in your new home?
• Accommodations — Does your house need to be wheelchair accessible?
• Yard — Do you want a backyard and a front yard? How big will your yard be?
• Garage and Parking — Do you need a garage?  Will off-street parking options work for you and/or your guests?
• Cost — How much are you willing to spend on your home (or spaceship)? Will a lender find you financially sound to buy a home?

3. Are You Making the Right Decision?

Buying a home is a major decision, and finding your dream home is tough. No one should make this decision alone; it takes time to consider the available options.

These are some of the many factors to consider. When you want to talk to a pro about finding your perfect home, contact me, your local Denver Real Estate Agent to get started.