When you fall in love with a house, it’s easy to let emotion cloud your judgment. Before you commit to buying, look at things objectively and figure out if this is really the right home for you. These are some signs that you might be about to make a mistake.
1. You Would Struggle to Cover Costs
Even if you can afford the monthly mortgage payments, you have to consider all the expenses associated with owning a house. That includes utilities, property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, repairs, and possibly homeowners association fees.
2. The House Is Too Big for Your Family
If you’re planning to expand your family or you might have an elderly parent move in with you in the coming years, it can make sense to buy a home with extra square footage. Usually, though, when people buy a house that’s larger than they need, they do it for the wrong reasons.
3. You Would Have a Long and Stressful Commute
If you commute to work several days per week, that should play a role in your homebuying decision. If you own your dream house, but you spend a good chunk of your day driving to and from work or sitting in gridlock, you’ll soon wish you had bought a home closer to work.
4. The Schools or Neighborhood Don’t Fit Your Family’s Needs
If you have or plan to have children, the quality of the local schools should heavily influence your decision on where to live. If you have concerns about the schools in the area, look for a house in a different district.