If you’re a renter getting ready to buy your first house, you’re not alone. About 35% of households in the U.S. live in rental properties, and many renters are on the move to invest in their forever home. However, there are a few key things you need to consider aside from your budget when you’re ready to buy a house. 

1. Is a Yard Important to You? 

If you’re among the 90% of Americans who prefer to live in homes that are surrounded by grass lawns, it’s important to prioritize this when looking for real estate to invest in. This will help you make your search for the perfect home faster because you won’t have to look at houses that don’t have a yard or one as large as you’d like. Note that Americans spend an average of 12 hours outside their homes every single week, according to Snow Brains. If this is something you can envision for yourself and your family, get a home that makes it easy to do. 

2. Is Having Surrounding Land Essential? 

You should also know whether you need to have surrounding land around your ideal home. If you want this, you have a better chance of getting what you need by looking in rural areas more than in modern areas. That said, note that farmland or rural sales have remained steady through 2022 and are likely to remain stable through 2023, according to Successful Farming. When you know what you need, you’ll better know where to look for it. 

3. How Much Storage Space Do You Need? 

Take stock of the number of items that you have in your home. This is going to help you figure out how much storage space you need in your new house. To help give you some perspective, the most recent surveys and polls show that the average number of items that most American homes have in them is about 300,000. If you can get a good idea of how many items you own, it will be easier to find the ideal real estate for you. 

4. Do You Prefer Open Layouts? 

Based on the fact that people spend an average of around 90% of their time inside, you may prefer a home with open layouts. That’s because these layouts make a space feel larger and more airy. As a result, use this information to figure out the specific real estate that you’ll focus on. Make sure to only prioritize homes that you feel comfortable spending time in. This will save you the expense of having to work on remodels and renovations shortly after you buy a home. 

5. Do You Want a Historical Home or a New Build? 

Finally, you may prefer historical homes or want a new build. This is something that may be affected by other details such as your budget, ideal layout, and the location you want a home in. Keep in mind that more than 50% of the houses in the United States were constructed before 1980, according to ComfyLiving. That said, make sure to do the relevant inspections so that you buy a home that’s in a sound state, both structurally and aesthetically. Doing this will make your purchase worthwhile and ensure that you can settle down comfortably as soon as you move into your new home. 

When you keep these things in mind when investing in your first real estate, you’ll have better odds of getting the perfect home. This is why you need to allow ample time for the process and work with professionals who are knowledgeable about the area you want to buy a home in. This could save you considerable hassle and also make it easier to score an amazing deal that you’ll be happy with for the rest of time.