• Real Estate Professionals
  • Service Providers
  • Request Service
  • Sign In
  • 888.875.0533
  • Get a Quote
  • Menu
Request Service Sign In

Homeowner

  • Overview
  • Why Buy a Home Warranty
  • What's Covered
  • How to Request Service
  • Home Warranty Reviews
  • Get a Quote
  • Home Warranty 101
  • Budget Protection
  • What is a Home Warranty?

Service Provider

  • Overview
  • Why Join Our Team
  • Home Warranty Network 101
  • Service Provider Testimonials
  • Service Provider Application

Real Estate Professional

  • Overview
  • Why Choose First American
  • Sample Coverage
  • Locate Your Area Manager
  • CRES Home Warranty
  • Real Estate Testimonials
  • Marketing Materials

Resources

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Case Studies and Testimonials
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Home Maintenance Tips
Menu

Sign In / Register

  • Email Address is required.
  • Password is required.
Register Forgot Password
Request Service Sign In
  • Blog Home
  • Budget Smart
  • Home Care
  • Home Maintenance
  • Home Warranty
  • Homeowner Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • Real Estate
  • Archives
3 Things to Look for (and 3 to Ignore) When House Hunting
Real Estate

3 Things to Look for (and 3 to Ignore) When House Hunting

House hunting can be exciting, but it can be overwhelming too. Even if you know what you want, it can be hard to sort out what is crucial, and what is merely a “nice to have.” Here are three home features that you don’t want to compromise on, and three more that you should ignore, even if they often can be hard to overlook.

Home-Buying Top Priorities

Neighborhood

You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating: Location is essential. Even more so if you have kids and want to get in a certain school district. You can change many things about a house, but location isn’t one of them. When you're house hunting, look for a home that works for you in the best neighborhood you can afford. Like a neighborhood? Check it at different times of day. A neighborhood can be quite different at night, or during commute times.

dining roomHouse size and layout

Does the size and layout of the house work for your family? Think about how long you plan to live in the house and what your future needs might be. Thinking about starting a family in a few years? Maybe working from home? Home remodeling TV shows might make it look easy to knock down walls, but it will cost a lot more than you think. Consider the size and location of the lot, too. You might not mind a busy street, but it could hurt your resale value.

Natural Light

Pay attention to the way the house faces and the amount of natural light. A home that faces north, with small windows and a lot of surrounding trees may feel like a cave in the winter. On the other hand, a west-facing house with no shade may be blazing hot in the summer. Yes, you may be able to add lighting, or plant trees for more shade, but be sure to consider your preferences and what’s possible, given the house layout and surroundings.

Fixable Flaws to Overlook When House Hunting

When you're house hunting, you may want a move-in ready home, but even if you’re not a DIYer, there are many cosmetic changes you can make that won’t break your budget.

Dated Décor

bath decorIt can be challenging to look past pink walls and burgundy carpet. Or ugly wallpaper and dreary curtains. But these things are fairly easy and inexpensive to fix, so don’t cross a house off your list just because of an ugly interior. Exercise your imagination and see if you can look past the surface to see if the flaws are fixable.

Ugly Fixtures and Hardware, and Door Knobs

Not a fan of brass fixtures? It’s amazing how little things like new door knobs, cabinet hardware, and light fixtures can make a big difference. Even doors and plumbing fixtures aren’t that difficult to swap out.

No Curb Appeal

A yard full of overgrown bushes or a dying, patching lawn can make any home look uninviting. Taming or updating landscaping is often an easy fix that can make a big impact. Similarly, a dingy front door, faded house numbers, and old light fixtures are all easy to update. When in doubt, remember that your agent is your best resource in helping you understand what changes are easy fixes, and what might be deal breakers.

This article is about...
  • Buying a home
  • Real estate strategies
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Checklists
Tools to Help You Sell in the New Year
Real Estate

Tools to Help You Sell in the New Year

Home Selling Checklists for Virtual Tours
Real Estate

Home Selling Checklists for Virtual Tours

Final Walkthrough Checklist and Tips for Homebuyers
Real Estate

Final Walkthrough Checklist and Tips for Homebuyers

Popular Articles

home warranty repair
What is a Home Warranty?
air conditioning units
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
Garage conversion
Should You Convert Your Garage?
Woman comparing home warranties
Compare Home Warranty Plans
corn husks
Corn Husks - Not Just for Tamales
water heater temperature
What's the Best Temperature for Your Water Heater?
AC tune-up
How Air Conditioner Tune-ups Save Money

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to manage your sessions, manage content, and improve your website experience. To learn more about these technologies, your options, and about other categories of personal information we collect through this website and how we may use it, please see our privacy policy. This notice is effective for your use of this website for the next 14 days.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© 2021 First American Home Warranty Corporation and its licensed subsidiaries. All rights reserved.