Buying your first home is exciting, although the experience can be unnerving for some. If you are like other home buyers, you probably have in mind exactly what you’re looking for. However, if you cannot see past the hideous wallpaper, funky fixtures and avocado green carpet you might miss out on a house that has great potential.                                                                                                                    
One of the first things you should do is get pre-approved for a loan and calculate the maximum amount you can afford before making an offer. Do not look at houses that are priced at 5 percent above what you’re prepared to offer, otherwise you might be disappointment if you find that perfect home, but it is priced outside your budget.
The floor plan is probably the most important factor of a home; however if a floor plan is not to your liking, remember you can always adjust or add on to it at a later time. If you are looking for an existing home and will need to remodel or expand to meet your needs, the estimated cost of renovations should be taken into account when calculating how much you can afford.
Other things to consider:
The Walls – Although the walls are the easiest to remedy, they can also make a strong first impression. If the walls need a new coat of paint, are covered with wallpaper or painted a color you find in bad taste, imagine them clean and painted in your favorite color.
Flooring – Like the walls the carpets and floors might be old or outdated; they too can be easily replaced. You can even negotiate for the carpet in your offer, especially if you are in a buyer’s market.
The View – Old, ugly, filthy windows and window treatments can make your view seem less than desirable. Again, these things can be replaced or cleaned, so unless your view is of a brick wall, do not dwell too much on what is undoubtedly a correctable fix.
Landscaping – Your best bet is a moderately landscaped yard, because you can always improve the landscaping without overspending. Landscaping is one of the easier projects to tackle. Plus you get to choose the design you like if you start from scratch.
Storage and Garages – You can never have too much storage space, which explains why so many newer homes have garages for three cars. But if the home has a converted garage, which is now a bedroom or storage, do not give up. Converted garages can almost always return to their original state, without much cost or labor.
Kitchen – The most popular room, many new homebuyers want the kitchen to be modern with stainless steel appliances. Do not let the color combinations upset you, there is nothing a fresh coat (or two) of paint cannot do to brighten up the kitchen. Also, if you like the house enough to make an offer, you can install new appliances or re-do the entire kitchen complete with new countertops, cabinets and floors.
Pools – If you are adamant about a swimming pool, buy a home with a pool already installed, pools are expensive and most times you cannot recoup those costs when you sell; let someone else lose revenue. The cost of repairing a pool is minor compared to installing a new one, so if you are looking for a house that has a pool, which seems to need some work, it will still be better to repair it rather than installing a new one.
When you make your offer, consider what you cannot live without, and your budget. Also make sure you hire a professional home inspector to inspect the house. If the home is in good condition make an offer accordingly. Above all, remember that unless you build your dream home from scratch, you will never find a home that could not use some minor improvements. If you can look past the previous owner’s bad choice in decor and focus on the core of the house and its potential you just might find the home of your dreams. It may take some work, but in the end all your hard work will be worth it.
