Deciding to buy a house means that you’re finally preparing for your future. A family, pets, travels, freedom, or whatever it may be, you’ll need to take them into account when you’re searching for a home.
You’re not investing in a home with only the present in mind. You will have to think bigger, further into the future because that will be your home for the next few years or decades. That being said, your future home should reflect your long-term goals in life, such as:
Is your life goal to have a family?
What’s the use of a big house without a family to come home to? This might be your way of thinking especially if you’re a family-oriented person. So if you dream of having a big family that lives in a big, warm house, you should begin preparing for it now by looking into good homes.
That’s not to say that you should immediately invest in a three-bedroom townhouse in a school district or look into baby-proofing furniture. For now, you should at least consider the possibility of your current home being the place where you will grow your family.
You might not even be in a committed relationship at the moment because entering the dating scene is a futile attempt. But when you finally decide to hire matchmaking services to find you the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, you should be prepared to make some big changes.
Is your life goal to become a fur parent?
Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are being considered as a family more often nowadays. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to become a fur parent than to start your own family, especially if kids are not your strong suit. You should know that this life goal is totally acceptable.
As such, you should consider this when you’re looking for a home to grow old in. It can be a good option to include having a backyard where your dog can run and play in your search for a home. If the lawn or backyard is not negotiable, you can at least find a house near a park where you can walk the dog.
You will also have to look for pet-friendly communities not to have any problems later on. For instance, it can be difficult if you find out that your pet isn’t allowed on the premises of your apartment when you’re moving in. It’s better to be prepared for such situations beforehand.
Is your life goal to travel the world?
If this is the case, then you’ll only need a house to act as a home base in between your travels. You won’t need to invest in a big place because it will most likely be empty during your adventures worldwide. For this, you can consider looking for one-bedroom houses or bungalows.
You can also look into studio apartments or condominiums that building managers maintain. This is important because if you’re going to be away for some time, there should be someone who can drop by your place once in a while to ensure no gas leaks or loose electrical wiring can cause a fire.
For a passive income idea, you can turn your home into a rental space for the duration of your travels, especially if it’s going to last for a few months at a time. There’s no reason to waste that comfortable home when you aren’t using it. Plus, renting or leasing the house can lessen your overall expenses because you no longer have to pay for the mortgage with your own money.
Is your life goal to live alone?
Out of all the situations mentioned above, this is the easiest to be in. You won’t have to compromise with anyone but yourself, which means that you can choose to live anywhere and any way you please. If you want to live in a renowned building’s penthouse, you should have the budget to do so.
If you want to buy a two-story house or a rundown unit that you’re going to flip and renovate, no one will stop you from doing so. You have the freedom to decorate, design, organize, and maintain your home in whatever way you want because it’s your house.
Buying a house is a big investment that can take 15 to 30 years to pay off, depending on the mortgage plan you will take. This means that your house needs to be the place where you will be spending the better part of your life, so it has to fit the specifications of your long-term goals.