The Metro Detroit area offers some amazing options for home buyers.  From Royal Oak to the Suburbs of Detroit and westward into areas like Ann Arbor, a first time home buyer in Michigan is faced with a limitless variety in home designs.

There’s certainly some style of home to fit your preferences – if you’re a rehabber of dilapidated structures for house flipping, a lover of modern dwellings and current architecture trends, revitalizing old Victorian homes that breathe with the life of a once-vibrant Detroit; there’s something for everyone.

That variety, though, can make it a bit difficult to zero in on finding the right home.

There’s a distinct draw for home buyers to the “fixer-upper” but the truth is, a lot of first time buyers often underestimate the time and money needed for a big remodeling project.  Excitement at the idea of buying an old home with vaulted, cathedral-like 16’ ceilings makes the task of painting those heights look easy.

Adding a new bathroom, a den, finishing a basement or adding sleek lighting to a seemingly easy kitchen remodel are often on the minds of those trying to save with an older home.  But, It’s important to calculate the time and cost associated with those updates.

Getting Settled into This Old House

I love some of the finer architecture around Michigan; not just located around the suburbs of Metro Detroit.  All of southeast Michigan is ripe with these aging homes that add depth and character to a community.

While those homes can be cozy and charming, managing the hidden deficiencies for a first time home buyer can be frustrating and overwhelming.  You can be certain to inherit some unseen problems.  While the price of older homes might seem attractive, it’s sometimes a better route to opt for a newer home with all the right updates (and built to current codes).

Finding the Right Home That Fits You

Buying a home can sometimes be like buying a pair of pants.  Everything about the jeans might seem great on the rack, and even held in front of you, but you don’t always get the right pair when you focus on the appearance.  Sometimes you slip them on and within 5 minutes you hate them.

When you’re shopping for a home, it’s important to focus on more than the appearance, whether it’s an older home or a newer one.  You need to make sure the home is a right fit for you and your family.  Think about your needs when you review the property.

• Consider your commute to work
• Do you need to be close to schools?
• What is traffic like around your home?
• What types of community events and neighborhood programs exist that appeal to you or detract from the area in your mind?
• Do you prefer to be close to parks, woods or water sources for outdoor recreation?
• Are you more comfortable in a single family home or would a condo be more comfortable?
• Do you need a garage and a backyard that suits your pets?

Another thing to consider when you’re trying to find a home that fits your family, is that the home you choose may not be your “forever” home.  There’s nothing wrong with settling for a comfortable, modest home that meets most of your needs, with plans to sell and upgrade to your dream home later on.

On average, Michigan homeowners often stay in their homes for around 6 years, so allow yourself room to save now and transition later when the time is right.

Dig Deep when Finding the Right Home

If the thought of sitting parked in traffic in a hot car, or switching buses in order to bring a close to a two hour commute turns your stomach, then stick with the paradigm of “location is everything”.

Consider everything about the home you want to purchase once you get pre-approval with a Michigan mortgage banker.  While homes throughout southeast Michigan can be beautiful (and that’s an understatement), especially in areas like Royal Oak, Novi, Troy and Ann Arbor, you need to look beyond the exterior and dig deep when buying a house to make sure it’s a great fit and becomes a real “home”.

Remember that when you buy a home, you’re not just buying the property.  You’re buying a piece of the community around you.