How to Find your Dream Home

This is it, friends! The market is finally here! Time to go looking for your dream home. But wait! If you're married or have a significant other in your life, or children, or - as is very common today - aging parents whom you are caring for, the decision to move gets complicated. Believe me, I've been there. In that case, on a quiet day, here are three most important questions to consider:

1. How long is your commute? This is the most important thing to consider, or at least one of the most important things. When people from the Bay Area moved to Sacramento during the great real estate rush a few years ago, not too many stopped to think about how far they would have to commute. Sure, on a Tuesday afternoon, it's great to travel to Sacramento but you must consider if and when you can work out of your home office, when you will be traveling and whether it is feasible, day in and day out, if your work would demand it. Remember that you will need your job to pay your mortgage!

2. How friendly is the area to the children / parents in your home? If there are children, you might want to search out the best schools and neighbors with children. If there are older people, you might want to consider disability features and so on. Also, most realtors sell to the women of the home and we all know that. But women, please do keep in mind the husband's perspective too. After all, in a partnership, all partners have to be in agreement or the partnership falls apart and everything that is built on it does as well.

3. Do you like your neighbors? Does the general culture of the area agree with yours? Please be aware, I don't mean this literally. I don't mean that you should restrict yourself to a certain race or nationality. I mean, are the neighbors laid-back or fast paced? Is the area sleepy or noisy? How are the homes kept? Is there an understanding that honking is okay or not? Does the home have an HOA? Well, you get the idea. The best way to find this out is to just knock on the neighbors' doors and talk to them. Ask them about the area. And if you don't like the people you talk to with regularity, no matter how nice the home is, get the hell out! On the other hand, you might find a bargain in a neighborhood with a fixer if the neighbors maintain their homes!

Now get out and buy, buy, buy! Have fun!