Here's What I Look at When I Visit a Home I'm Thinking of Buying

I'm in the market for a new home, so I'll be visiting multiple properties before I move forward with buying a house.

I'm taking my time and going to see many different places because I don't want to take out a mortgage loan and make an offer on a home until I'm sure it meets certain criteria. 

Specifically, there are a few key things I always look for when I visit a house I may be interested in purchasing. 

The home's location

A home's location is the single most important factor for me. Specifically, I want to make sure:

• I have a reasonable commute to all of the places I want to go.
• The neighborhood is safe, clean, and offers activities and amenities my kids will enjoy.
• I have a reasonable view and I'm not too close to any of my neighbors.

These are all things I absolutely cannot change. You can't pick up and move a house or get rid of bad traffic on your way to the store. If a home doesn't have a good location, I know beyond any doubt that I will not be happy living there. So, if it doesn't meet my criteria, it immediately gets removed from my list no matter how nice it is inside or how affordable it is. 

The age of the roof and other major home systems

The next thing I consider is how old the roof and other major systems are, like the air conditioners. Roofs have an average lifespan of about 20 to 30 years depending on the material. And fixing one can be expensive. Air conditioners also don't last forever and can cost thousands of dollars to replace.

If the roof, HVAC system, or major appliances are getting older, I won't necessarily cross a house off my list. But, I will think about how much it will cost me to replace these items in the coming years and take that into account when I decide how much I'm willing to pay for the home in the form of a mortgage loan and other expenses. 

The home's floor plan

Issues with the floor plan are another deal breaker for me. It's really difficult and expensive to take down walls or move around rooms, so I want to make sure the home's layout makes sense for me. 

This means I need a separate hangout area for my kids as they get older, as well as a first-floor master bedroom because I want to be able to have my aging dogs come into my bedroom easily. 

I also don't really like open kitchens, both because I don't want to look at the mess and I know that I tend to snack more if my refrigerator is right there in front of me when I'm relaxing in my living room. 

The storage space the home has available 

Finally, I look at the storage space, including the garage and basement or attic as well as closet space. I don't like to have a ton of clutter around and I don't want to struggle with where to keep out-of-season clothing or holiday decorations. If a home doesn't have enough storage, it gets removed from my list as this will be a constant source of frustration for years to come.

By taking these four factors into account, I can maximize the chances I end up in a home I'm happy with over the long haul. They matter far more to me than aesthetics, as paint and cabinets and carpets can be changed but these things can't.