| Buying a home is never an easy task, but | | | | also save you a ton of money in the meantime. |
| knowing what you're looking for (and what you're | | | | 3. Hardwood Floors. Hardwood floors may add |
| not looking for) can make the home-buying | | | | some additional costs when initially building a home |
| experience a lot less stressful. | | | | but the upfront cost will outweigh alternatives, |
| Before you sit down to prioritize your wish list, | | | | should you decide to rip out carpet and install |
| we highly recommend looking for these 5 | | | | hardwood a year or two down the road. |
| features in your new home. We realize some of | | | | Hardwood flooring (especially in dark tones) is |
| the features might increase the cost of the home | | | | extremely popular right now. Upgrading to dark |
| - but the potential resalevalue will outweigh the | | | | hardwood floors is an essential investment for |
| initial costs, we assure you. | | | | any new homeowner. |
| Here are 5 essential features to look for when | | | | 4. An "Extra" Family Room. If you're moving into |
| purchasing a new home: | | | | a new home with your family (or even with just |
| 1. Ensuite Bathroom. New homes are being built so | | | | one other person), an additional family room is a |
| quickly with so many features that today's | | | | necessity. To save your relationship, you and your |
| homeowners have become accustom to luxurious | | | | partner (and your kids) are going to need their |
| upgrades. Parents no longer want to share their | | | | own space. An extra family room allows an |
| bathroom with their children and children surely | | | | escape so that you don't have to spend every |
| don't want to share a bathroom with their | | | | waking moment side-by-side with the people you |
| parents. Spend the extra cash and look for a | | | | live with. Also, if you want to watch different |
| home with an ensuite bathroom attached to the | | | | things on TV, nothing is forcing you to watch the |
| master bedroom. Trust us; you'll be happy that | | | | only thing that's on in the one family room. |
| you did. | | | | 5. A deck. An outdoor haven is one of the best |
| 2. Energy-Efficient Appliances. If you're purchasing | | | | features of any home. If you're purchasing a |
| a new home - or even buying an older home - | | | | brand new home, chances are you might not be |
| chances are you're going to need new appliances. | | | | able to include a deck in your plan. The good |
| If you're buying a new home from a homebuilder, | | | | news is that you'll probably be able to add a deck |
| make sure they offer energy efficient appliances. | | | | right after your house is complete. Looking at the |
| If they don't, it's worth negotiating this into the | | | | plan of your home (especially the back yard) to |
| price of the home. Everyone is looking for energy | | | | make sure that the layout suits an outdoor deck |
| efficient features in their homes. Not only will this | | | | or patio is a great thing to consider during the |
| increase the resale value of your home but it will | | | | home-buying process. |