Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tips On Buying Home Are Given

BARBARA A. HOLT, Ph.D.

CLARK COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

The first step in shopping for a new home is to calculate how much house you can afford.

Last week two methods of determining housing affordability were described in which the cost of housing was compared to a family's income. Once you have determined the price range of housing that you can afford to buy, you should determine the needs and wants of family members.

What other things should a family think about when shopping for a new home?

The next consideration to make are other factors related to your home selection, such as location, ages of those in your family, how long you intend to live there, and the community facilities and services your family needs.

After the parameters of expense, needs and wants are defined, it's time to actually look for a house. Be very aware that there are many ways that the house itself will affect the way your family lives and the way you interact with one another.

In addition to the required number of bedrooms, look at how you can move through the house without getting in other people's way. How accessible are the bathrooms? Does the house have space for your family's activities and hobbies?

Any house you select should be well built. Quality houses have a 'feel' about them learn to sense it, says Eleanor Walls, housing specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

Floors should feel solid. Doors should shut easily and windows should open easily. Walls should be square. The roof ridge should be absolutely straight. There should be no cracks in the foundation and it should be dry under the house.

The grading on the lot should slope away from the house to avoid water problems in and under the house. The air-conditioning equipment should be properly sized for the house and there should be adequate insulation and ventilation. If you see rusty stains on bathroom fixtures or inside the dishwasher, you'll know there are minerals in the water supply. Ask about the water and sewer.

How big the house will seem is affected more by the division of the space than the actual square footage.

Placement of doors, windows, electrical outlets and heating vents will affect furniture arrangement. Make sure there is adequate storage for your possessions. A walk-in-closet doesn't hold as much per square foot as a reach-in closet.

Take a careful look at the kitchen; it's the most expensive part of the house and gets remodeled more frequently because of heavy use. Again, arrangement means more then size. Adequate counter space and storage are important. Replacing appliances or flooring can be very expensive, but replacing counter tops is usually not as expensive.

Keep your heart in check when you look for a house. Be realistic about money, the way your family lives and the responsibilities of home ownership. Take an objective look at the house itself before you invest your money.

For more information about family home ownership, contact the Clark County Extension office at 246-2281.