Choosing the Right Home for You

Buying a home is a big investment as well as a deeply personal choice. Choosing a home that is right for your current and future needs is an important decision.

There are many questions and factors to take into consideration. What type of home do you want, how much space do you need, and what features or amenities would you like are just a few questions to keep in mind when beginning your home search.

Home Building or Structure Types

There are several different options of residential home types. Below are a few to help you start collecting your thoughts in determining what is right for you.

Single-Family Detached

A single-family detached home is a home that is on its own property and is meant for a single family. It does not share any exterior walls with any other home structure. A single-family detached home can offer the owner more privacy than other types of homes.

Townhouse

A townhouse is a multi-level, single-family home that shares one or two side walls with other townhouses in the row. Your living space is vertical, meaning your space can go up three or four floors. While townhomes do not offer the same level of privacy as a single-family detached home, they often include a garage and a small yard depending on its location.

Condominium

Condominiums, or condos, are similar to apartments in that they are usually individual units in a single building structure. However, there are different structures for condominiums, too. There are detached condos, high-rise condos, and two-over-two, stacked, or townhouse-style condos. Condos can offer more maintenance-free living much like an apartment, but you own the unit instead of rent. They can also offer shared spaces like a pool or a common room.

The O'Gorman Team Specializes in Reston Real Estate

Space

Going hand-in-hand with choosing the type of home that is right for you is determining how much space you need.

It can be hard to predict what your future home needs might be. It also depends on how long you plan to stay in your home. Ask yourself:

Do you have children or are you thinking of starting a family? If so, an extra bedroom, bathroom, or a larger yard might give you space to grow. However, you don’t want to choose a home that is too large for your needs.
Do you plan on entertaining or having friends and family visit or stay with you? If so, an extra bathroom or a room that can serve as a guest room can make visits easier and stress-free.
Are you retired or looking to retire soon? If so, you may want to travel more, so you may not want a lot of space or the maintenance that comes along with it. On the other hand, you may want friends and family to visit more often, so extra space for guests may be needed.

Amenities and Quality of Life

When choosing the right home for you, what are the “must-have” items on your wish list? Think about:

Do you prefer a community that is walkable?
Is the commute to work, school, or the grocery store convenient?
Do you want a large back yard, or do you prefer shared common spaces?
Do you want to do maintenance tasks on your lawn or home’s exterior, or do you prefer to live in a community that has a management system for these tasks?

Check to see if the neighborhood or community where you would like to live has a homeowners association (HOA). An HOA will often have management systems in place to take care of neighborhood or community maintenance concerns.

The Reston Association provides guidance to members on items ranging from annual assessment fees, property improvement processes, and resale disclosures, to community improvements and activities.

As you can see, there are many items to think about and consider when purchasing a home.

The O’Gorman Team is here to help guide you through your decision-making and home-buying processes so that you choose the right home for you.

We have years of experience in home sales in Reston. We will work hard to help you find your perfect home. We are also residents of Reston. We love Reston, and we know you will, too!

Contact The O’Gorman Team today to find the home that is right for you.

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