by Tina Martin Guest writer for Michele Francine and MicheleFrancine.com
Shopping for a home is not always easy. And, when you factor in the need to work from home, narrowing down your house selection may be a bit more difficult. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips to help you navigate buying a home/workspace in a fast-moving market.
Know the inventory.
Before you get really serious about your home hunt, it’s a good idea to know what’s available and the price range you can expect for what you think you need. You can search for listings online to peruse the current inventory. Do keep in mind that available properties change often so if you see something you like, it may not be available when you are ready to buy. Don’t despair, and trust that your agent will help keep an eye out when the time is right.
Prepare yourself.
Preparing to buy a home starts with evaluating your financial situation. If you have debt, you’ll need to get that taken care of and take steps to improve your credit score for when you make an offer. Consider debt management options, which might include counseling or consolidation. If necessary, don’t count out bankruptcy as a form of financial relief. Once you get your debt in check, you can begin saving for the ever-important down payment.
What do I need?
Once you have an idea of what’s available and have yourself in a position to put money aside, you can start to evaluate the type of space you need to buy. Start with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you use for your family, and then add one of each. Ideally, you can find a home with a separate room and bathroom where you can work without distractions. Usually, this is a spare bedroom or a dedicated office.
If your home-based business requires more than a computer, you’ll want to look for a house with a garage or workshop that allows you to keep your work separate from your home. A house with a detached building is an excellent choice, particularly if your work involves chemicals, tools, or people coming and going, such as if you work on cars or operate an in-house beauty salon.
You will also need to take into consideration the availability of internet and shipping services. If you routinely order online, you should know that not all locations are available for overnight shipping. Also, when you live out of the city, it may cost more to have packages delivered. Similarly, when your work relies on an online connection, you’ll need to spend some time looking at the internet service providers (ISPs) available in the ZIP Code you’ve chosen.
Setting up a home office
Once you find your location, it’s time to set things up. If you’ve never worked from home, it’s easy to overlook the basics. At a minimum, make sure that you have a functional computer (with a strong internet signal) and a large window to allow you to work in natural light. Your workspace should be large enough to accommodate a desk and chair comfortably along with any other specialized equipment, such as a printer, heat press, or art table, that you need to manage your day-to-day responsibilities.
When you’re ready to buy a workspace that will also double as your home, preparation is essential. Start your search by getting a feel for the area, and then take steps to improve your credit so that you are not in a cash crunch when it’s time to make an offer. Finally, know how much space you need, and ensure that it can handle all the equipment necessary for the task at hand.
When you’re ready to begin the search for your perfect house, trust Sand N' Sea Real Estate Group to help you find the place you can call home. Book online for a consultation today and get the ball rolling.
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