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Buying a home in Annapolis feels like a super exciting experience. You’re dreaming of your new kitchen, the yard for the dogs and/or kids; emotions quickly start running sky-high.
Sometimes, however, those emotions can cloud the more important things you want to think about that you may regret not paying attention to until after you’ve moved in.
Following are five recommendations I advise my clients moving into or within Annapolis to consider during their buying process, so they experience the thrill of loving where they live. As I always say, it’s I like to keep it real in real estate!
Know your ‘all in’ monthly costs
Understanding your monthly costs goes beyond just your monthly mortgage payment.
Most homeowners should budget for HOA dues, utilities, lawn care, and home maintenance.
The age of your major appliances, such as your water heater or HVAC system, is important, and servicing them consistently will ensure they work correctly and help you prolong the need to replace them.
Think about your commute
While it’s become more common for people to work from home, many organizations have returned to the in-office format, and drive time will significantly impact the quality of your life.
Determine ahead of time how much time you’re comfortable spending in your car commuting so you can plan accordingly. Realtor.com’s drive time commute filter is a great tool to use in your planning.
Preparing for a positive commute might look like listening to your favorite podcasts, audiobooks, and great music. And if your drive time hits close to an hour or more, you may consider packing snacks. They’ll help you avoid arriving back at home hangry and possibly unleashing road rage while on the road.
Neighborhood Noise Levels
When buying a home in Annapolis, we recommend that you visit your new neighborhood at different times of the day.
Stop by before and after school, early in the morning, and into the evening. Just park nearby and pay attention to the activity happening while you’re there. This will help you avoid moving into your new home only to learn there’s a train that runs each morning at 5 am.
Think About Seasonal
It can sound exciting to buy a home in Annapolis on one acre of land until you experience the amount of time it takes to maintain a yard and garden of that size.
- What about big trees?
- Will you look forward to spending hours raking leaves in the fall, or would you prefer a newer home with less landscaping?
Remember that sometimes a really big home sounds like fun until you’re tasked with cleaning five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Layout
When you’re house hunting in Annapolis, it’s a good idea to assess the location, condition, and price of the home, but you’ll also want to give some thought to the layout.
- West-facing rooms usually get hotter in the summertime.
- Do you like stairs? Running up and down stairs is great exercise but can get a little old if you’re always in need of accessing things by way of two floors.
- How much driveway will you need to shovel in the winter? Do you want to shovel snow uphill, or is a flat driveway more your style? Will your car make it up your driveway in the winter months? If not, are you willing to invest in 4-wheel or all-wheel drive?
The layout of your new home is essential in creating an enjoyable living experience. Remember to think about the way your family lives and make sure your floor plan is the right match.
Last but not least, consider checking out my free Neighborhood News emails for the areas you are considering. You can sign up here.
As you give some thought to these recommendations, you’ll be sure to set yourself up for buying success.
Contact me if you have questions or you are ready to make a move. I am here to help.
