Purchasing a home as a first-time buyer is an exciting process but is often accompanied by a steep learning curve. The consensus is that home buying is a process that involves several steps, such as finding an agent, making an offer, a mortgage underwriting, loan approvals, inspections, and so on. These are essential logistics of homebuying, but there are also important considerations to note before starting the process.
Here are a few points of interest fellow first-time homebuyers should know as they search for Gilbert houses for sale.
Confession #1: I wish I had paid as much attention to the neighborhood as I did to my home
When searching for your first home, it is common to prioritize finding the perfect home over finding a great neighborhood that suits most of your needs. I bought my house in an area that checked many boxes. However, I noticed how quickly compromises could be made once you find a home you love. I recommend first-time buyers pay attention to what makes an area unique and why it is an excellent fit for them long-term.
While browsing through available homes, I knew Gilbert was the right area for me after learning it has some of the best schools in the state, accessible activities, and other positive attributes. According to Niche.com, Gilbert Public Schools is rated among Arizona’s top five best school districts. Because Gilbert has excellent public schools, I was confident my children would get excellent educations. Upnest has an excellent guide covering essential details, like what makes charter schools different from public schools. Beyond a school’s online rating, consider visiting it in person and requesting an interview with the principal or other representative.
When browsing properties, homebuyers should research the available local transit and the easiest ways to commute throughout the city. Driving is the most common means of transportation in and out of Gilbert, and it is conveniently close to other cities that may be necessary to travel to for work or recreation. Located approximately 30 minutes east of Phoenix, traveling between cities would make for a relatively easy commute.
First-time homebuyers are often looking to buy starter homes, houses to raise families, or investment properties. Regardless of your intention when buying a home, considering what the neighborhood is like and what it offers is crucial to any first-time homebuyer browsing Gilbert houses for sale.
Confession #2: I should have thought more about weather and seasonality
It’s no secret that Arizona is known for its hot climate. When searching for Gilbert houses for sale, I was reluctant to buy property in an area known to have average temperatures in the 100s for several months. Although the heat may take some adjusting, there are several remedies to cool off during the hotter months and still enjoy the summer.
When looking at potential homes, it may be essential to find a home with a pool or a nearby recreation center for the hot summers. Buying a house with a pool can come with much work and maintenance, but it is worth having during the summer. If you do not want to invest in a pool, several recreation centers in Gilbert provide pool access to members. These recreation centers also have several other activities and are a great way to exercise while sheltering from the heat.
It is also imperative to have working air conditioning in your new home that reaches virtually every area of the house. The intensity of the heat makes appropriately functioning air conditioning a necessity. There are also lesser-known tactics to negate heat in your home, such as planting large trees in the yard to provide shade for your home. Simple remedies like these will help homebuyers adapt to the heat and improve their experience as first-time buyers in Gilbert.
Confession #3: I thought I would spend much more time cooking in my new kitchen
As a first-time homebuyer, I thought I would spend a lot of time eating at home and cooking nearly every meal in my new kitchen. While I love the space and enjoy cooking, Gilbert has a great food scene. Casual eats and comfort foods are found around town, along with other exciting restaurants and bars.
Fire and Brimstone is popular for pizza and other Italian comfort foods. Other local favorites are Culinary Dropout, an American restaurant with games and live music, and Caldwell County Mexi-Q, a novelty restaurant that serves a fusion of Mexican food and barbecue.
The Brickyard Downtown is great for cocktails and tapas, and just next door is Pedal Haus Brewery serving a large selection of beer and snacks. With restaurants and bars like these nearby, I have spent much less time cooking at home than I initially anticipated. Due to my unawareness of the vibrant food scene in Gilbert, I did not expect to spend so much time eating at new restaurants.
First-time homebuyers are often looking to buy starter homes, houses to raise families, or investment properties. Regardless of your intention when buying a home, considering the larger picture and how you fit into an area will lead your search and help you avoid mistakes. Keep in mind the location, weather, dining, schools, and nearby activities of a home while you are looking. Most first-time buyers will reflect on what they could have done differently and can use those lessons in their future homebuying endeavors.
If you are interested in Gilbert houses for sale or have questions about first-time home buying in the area, reach out to me so I can help you avoid common first-time buyer mistakes.
