Posted on: Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Plan to buy? Ways to find ideal house
| • | Plan to sell? First, get that house in shape |
By Craig Wilson
USA Today
Dennis Wedlick is an architect, so he knows a few things about houses. He also knows what to look for when buying one. Wedlick's new book, "Good House Hunting: 20 steps to your Dream Home" (HarperDesign, $24.95), tells buyers that they don't have to settle for a cookie-cutter home.
Q. What's the biggest mistake most people make when they go house hunting? A. They don't take the time to research what the ideal home would be for them. Then when they go looking, they don't follow up with the properties that have potential. A. It can be, but you have to know what it is that makes you feel so strongly about the house. Is it the view? The character? You want to make a decision that is not just emotional. It's a balance of immediate and long-term needs. A. Always look for less house than you can afford. If you spend every penny you have, you don't have any opportunity to improve the house. The best way to do that is to be sure about the size of the house. Many buy more house than they need. A. You're limiting yourself. When you decide a location is right for you, you should be clear "why" it's right for you. You should look for those characteristics in other areas. You should find the home that has the most potential to become the dream home. A. If you only judge a house from outside, you may be missing out on a home that has a lot of potential and might not mean a big investment. Simply adding a porch, that can transform a house. If it has good bones, you can keep making changes. A. People rely on inspections, and then they don't read them. How is the home heated? Cooled? A well-cared-for home is a very good buy. If you see the furnace is new, the basement immaculate, you get a sense the house is well cared for. A. Potential. The house I'm sitting in right now (in Kinderhook, N.Y.), I designed 15 years ago. It's only 800 square feet. The land is 11 acres. When I walked the land, the broker said it had no views. But I found from a certain angle, the views were of the local rolling hills. Over time, I added a barn, a garden. Improvements. And they have paid back.
Q. I knew the house we bought was "the one" the minute I walked in the door. Even with the flowered wallpaper in the den. Can a house talk to you that immediately? And if so, is that a good thing?
Q. It's a seller's market out there. So what should a home buyer do to get the best price?
Q. They always say location, location, location. You say never to fixate on one location. Why, if that's where you want to be and the resale value is best?
Q. You say to never judge a house by curb appeal. When I was looking at houses, I wouldn't even go inside if I didn't like how it looked from the street.
Q. You say to check the mechanical systems. Isn't that what an inspection is for?
Q. Have you attained your dream house? What was it for you? Location? Architecture? Potential?
