Purchasing a house for the first time may not be an easy task to accomplish, especially when there are a lot of choices to select from. Having the idea of what to look for in a house would be the best solution to the problem of deciding which house to buy.

Read the succeeding lines to be acquainted with the considerations on what to look for in a house, their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Location & Neighborhood

* Suburbs or Country

Pros: Generally less expensive, often newer, and More money for the home.
Cons: More time in traffic if driving to town for work and further away from entertainment options cities offer.

* Urban

Pros: Close to many employers, walking distance to theaters, restaurants, schools.
Cons: Often noisier, with higher crime rates and homes are more expensive.

* Busy Streets

Pros: Often homes on streets are thousands of dollars cheaper. If noise doesn’t bother you, don’t pass up homes on busy streets.
Cons: If bedrooms are located near the front of the home, sleep may be disturbed.

* Cul de sac

Pros: Number one choice of buyers with children.
Cons: Less privacy, neighbors know more about you.

* Corner lots

Pros: Often has larger lots, fewer neighbors and more visibility.
Cons: More traffic noise and is more vulnerable to vehicles jumping the curb. More sidewalk to shovel in winter.

2. Type of Home

* Single Family

Pros: Good appreciation with opportunity for gardens. Has more privacy and is of course, quieter.
Cons: More maintenance.

* Condos, Townhomes, Cooperatives

Pros: Less expensive than comparable single-family homes. Generally newer so fewer repairs and has no yard or exterior maintenance.
Cons: Less privacy and is noisier due to common walls and/or floors and ceilings.

3. Number of Stories

* Single Story

Pros: Easy wheelchair access and is easier to clean.
Cons: Can be noisier if stereos or televisions are located on the same floor as bedrooms. More of the lot is absorbed by living quarters.

* More than One Story

Pros: More living space on same foundation than a ranch home.
Cons: More trips up and down the stairs to carry stuff to bedrooms. If laundry rooms are on the second floor, washer leaks are major.

4. Interior Specifications

* Number of Bedrooms

Pros: Common minimum requested configurations are 3 bedrooms.
Cons: 2 bedrooms appeal primarily to first-time home buyers, singles or seniors. However, don’t discount a two bedroom if an extra den will satisfy your space requirements.

* Number of Bathrooms

Pros: More than one bath is preferred by most people. One bath homes are often less expensive.
Cons: Don’t pass up a one bath home if there is room to add a second bath. Sometimes it costs less to put in an extra bath than it does to buy a two-bath home.

* Bonus Rooms

Pros: Extra spaces for media rooms, art studios, children’s playrooms, gyms, den/study.
Cons: More expensive.

5. Garages

* Attached.

Pros: Cheaper to build. Convenient if raining or snowing.
Cons: Higher noise levels inside the home from cars. If the garage door to the house self locks, you could get locked out at an inopportune time.

* Detached.

Pros: Can be tucked away from site lines. Quieter.
Cons: More expensive to build. Farther to walk in bad weather.

6. Additional Considerations

* School districts.
* Special amenities such as fireplaces, pools or spas.
* Condition of plumbing, electrical, heating & cooling units.
* Available utilities such as cable or DSL, satellite.
* Sewer, cesspool or septic connections.
* Fixers. If you’re handy with tools, you might save a lot of money if you consider homes that need minor improvements, fresh paint or new carpeting.