This is another question that I get fairly frequently from people just starting out with rent-to-own.  Unfortunately,  there is no answer that is correct for everyone, but it’s something you should definitely look at before you start your search.  Set out what goals you have for this property.  Will it be a home you live in for the next 20 years?  Are you looking to maximize your return and sell in 5 years?  What features are must-haves, what are nice to haves?

Clover Properties will always set you up with one of our real estate professionals who will guide you through the process of deciding what is important and what is not important to you.  Their advice could be critical in getting you a property you “love” versus one you “like” and can “bear” for three years.  After all, the best way to success in a rent-to-own is to love the property!  Remember, it is where you will spend the majority of the next three years.

Before you sit down with the real estate professional, you will probably have a basic idea of what you want; things like how many bedrooms or bathrooms, bungalow or 2-storey, and maybe even which neighbourhood you want to be in.  If not, no worries. Keep in mind that everyone starts at a different point.

As part of your research, here are some questions that you should start asking yourself.  Although they are more difficult to answer than the “easy” ones above, these questions will be instrumental in helping you form the goal for you home:

• How do you want to feel when you come home?
• What are your interests?
• Do you like gardening?
• Do you want to be able to walk downtown?
• Is being close to shopping important?
• Do you want to be near a bike path, ski hill, or lake?
• Do you want to be close to child care and schools?
• How close do you want to be to your in-laws?
• Do you have a pet?  Need to be close to a park?

Some buyers are also interested in a particular style of home. Some people are dead set against doing any lawn work, so maybe a townhouse or condo would suit your needs. Perhaps you like a lot of “character”, then perhaps a century home would be right up your alley. Maybe you’re social and living in a tight-knit suburb works for you.

You may hear from friends or family not to buy “the first house you see. Shop around; see as many as possible so you know you’re making the right decision.” Although this may not be terrible advice, don’t let it stop you from doing what feels right. Often times, the more you see – especially if they are all similar properties – the more they get muddled in your brain. This process can be stressful, so if you find something you like, don’t let it go!

Will you have that WOW feeling when you walk into a house? Maybe, maybe not. Does that mean it’s not for you? Maybe, maybe not. There are so many factors to weigh when you’re buying your home. But you don’t have to do it alone. Your real estate professional should be a great resource, not just for looking at physical houses, but also to give you input on different neighbourhoods in your city or give you contact information for other professionals that you might need to help you make a decision.  Ask LOTS of questions.  There is no such thing as a stupid question when dealing with one of the biggest investments you will ever make.    At the end of the day, Clover Properties and our fantastic real estate professionals are here to serve your best interests and help you get ahead.

Unfortunately as you can see there is no “simple” answer to the question about how many homes you should look at.  You have to decide what is the best fit for your family, needs and lifestyle.  You should take as much time as you need and never feel pressured to “pick” one due to time constraints etc.  Use your head and your heart to make a decision that you are comfortable and happy with.