How To Know A House Is Right For You

How To Know A House Is Right For You

Finding the right house is a mix of logic and intuition. Here are some key signs that a house might be the perfect fit for you:

1. It Feels Like Home

• When you walk in, you feel comfortable and at ease.
• You can picture yourself living there, arranging furniture, and making it your own.

2. It Meets Your Needs

• It has the right number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and space for your lifestyle.
• The layout suits your daily routines.

3. Fits Your Budget

• The price is within your budget, including mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance.
• You don’t feel financially stretched to afford it.

4. Good Location & Neighborhood

• Close to work, schools, or places important to you.
• The neighborhood feels safe and welcoming.

5. Minimal Deal Breakers

• While no home is perfect, the issues are minor and fixable.
• Major concerns like structural problems or bad location aren’t present.

6. You Start Mentally Decorating

• You’re already planning where to put your furniture or how to decorate rooms.

7. You Don’t Want to Look at Other Houses

• If you compare every other house to this one and nothing feels as good, that’s a strong sign.

8. It Passes Inspection

• A home inspection doesn’t reveal serious issues that would be costly to fix.

9. You Feel Excited, Not Pressured

• You’re eager to move in, not feeling rushed or uncertain.

Is it advisable to buy a house available for 1 year on zillow?

Buying a house that’s been on Zillow (or the market in general) for a year can be a good opportunity—but it also raises a few red flags that you should consider carefully. Here’s a breakdown of what to think about:

✅ Possible Advantages:

• Negotiating Power: The seller might be more willing to drop the price or cover closing costs since the home hasn’t sold in a long time.

• Less Competition: Homes sitting on the market that long likely won’t spark a bidding war.

• Potential for Value Add: Sometimes the property needs minor updates or better staging and hasn’t sold due to neglect in presentation.

Some red flags that you’ll definitely want to investigate before making a move. Here are a few key things to consider:

🚩 Why has it been sitting so long?

• Overpriced: This is the most common reason. The market may have spoken and said, “No thanks.”

• Poor condition: There may be hidden issues—foundation problems, mold, plumbing, electrical—big stuff.

• Bad location: It might be on a busy road, next to something undesirable (power lines, industrial site), or in a declining area.

• Unappealing listing: Terrible photos, limited details, or poor marketing can drive buyers away.

• Legal/title issues: There could be liens, probate issues, or complications with ownership.

🔍 What you should do

• Check price history: Zillow shows previous listings, price drops, and relistings. If it’s been relisted multiple times, that’s telling.

• Get a pre-inspection (or thorough inspection later): Especially if the seller is reluctant to disclose issues.

• Talk to your agent: They might find out more about why it hasn’t sold—agents sometimes know the backstory.

• Look at comps: Compare with similar homes nearby. If it’s way out of line, that could explain the delay.

• Ask the listing agent directly: Sometimes they’ll be honest and tell you the reason (or at least give clues).