Don't Let These Myths Misguide You When Shopping for a Single Family Home

Posted on: 11 September 2020

Finding the perfect single-family home for your family is not always easy. Some people look at hundreds of homes before finding "the one." While there is nothing inherently wrong with that — and you certainly don't want to settle for a not-ideal home just because you're tired of searching — you should make sure that none of these common myths are extending your house-hunting process and causing you to overlook some perfectly suitable homes.

Misconception: You need at least 2,000 square feet for a family.

Some people really do need a lot of space. If you have five kids, for example, living in a 1,200 square foot ranch will be tough! But in most cases, people overestimate how much space they actually need. So many people buy 2,500 square foot homes with five bedrooms, only for one or two of those bedrooms to sit empty 360 days a year. Be open to the possibility of buying a smaller home. If the layout is good and the home as an open floor plan, as many new homes do, you and your one or two kids should be able to live very comfortably in a 1,500 or 1,800 square foot home. 

Misconception: Fences cost a fortune, so you shouldn't buy a home without a fenced-in yard.

Have you avoided even looking at homes without fences, figuring that you can't afford $20,000 or more for a new fence? This could be a mistake. There are certainly expensive fences out there, but if you're on a budget, you can put up a nice-looking, vinyl-covered chain link fence for $2,000 or so. You can even put slats between the links for privacy. If a home is otherwise perfect, passing it up because the yard isn't fenced is silly.

Misconception: If the landscaping is a mess, the rest of the house is, too.

You're not the only one who drives right on by if a home doesn't have tidy landscaping or good curb appeal. But that could actually work out in your favor. The inside of the home could be amazing, and nobody else has jumped on it because they're turned off by some brown grass and shaggy bushes. Sometimes homeowners just run out of time or don't realize the importance of keeping up with landscaping. Don't avoid looking at a home with bad landscaping; it could be a real gem inside.

Hopefully, with these misconceptions cleared up, you will have an easier time finding a single-family home. 

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