I love helping buyers find homes. Whether they're looking in the Roanoke Valley or Smith Mountain Lake, it's fun to get out and show what's on the market.

House-hunting is exciting for buyers, too, but sometimes they feel anxiety over making a choice. That's understandable because, for most buyers, a home is the largest purchase they'll ever make.

So how do you know you've found the right home? There are several ways to tell. Check out the following ways you might be able to tell a home is "the one."

It fits your requirements

Before you start house-hunting, make a list of items that are must-haves and items you're willing to compromise on. Some of your requirements could be:

• Is the house big enough for your needs? Is there room to grow if your family gets bigger?

• How often will you have guests? Are there enough bedrooms for them?

• Does the house have enough storage space for your belongings?

• How many cars do you own? Is there enough room to park?

• How many stories does the house have? You may not want a house with stairs if anyone in your family has issues with mobility. 

• How big is your ideal yard? How much privacy do you require? 

It's within your budget

Don't overlook cost, no matter how attractive a house seems. The perfect home will meet your "must have" list while also remaining within your budget. You should never buy a house that will leave you scrambling to make payments. Remember that you will need to pay for insurance, property taxes, and repairs in addition to your mortgage, and be honest with yourself about your budget. No matter how much you love a particular home, if you can't afford it, look elsewhere. 

You can't wait to see the inside

Curb appeal can go a long way to attract a buyer. Does the house you're looking at speak to you as soon as you pull into the driveway? Do you just love the front yard? Are you excited to see inside? If so, it's a good sign you've found the right house. 

You love the neighborhood

It's important to check out the surrounding neighborhood as well as the house. Will you be comfortable and happy in the area? Are there good schools nearby? How long will your work commute every day?

You can envision how you'll decorate

It's a good sign if you can imagine yourself living in a particular house. Can you envision how most of the rooms will look right away? If you walk into a room and can immediately picture how you'd arrange your furniture and hang your family photos, this might be your home. 

You can see beyond the flaws

If you can overlook a home's minor flaws, you may have found your home. If the wall is painted an ugly color, but you can still picture how beautiful it will look with a fresh coat of paint, that's a good sign. One note of caution: Make sure you're not overlooking a major repair. If the house has foundation problems or needs a new roof, the repair bills will come out of your pocket. Schedule a home inspection before you buy. 

You don't want to look further

Another sign you've found the perfect home? You're no longer interested in house hunting. You're constantly comparing one house to every subsequent house you see, and the rest don't get you excited. If you feel like no other property compares to a certain house, it may be "the one." 

If you'd like to talk more about choosing your new home, I'd love to hear from you! Contact me anytime at sonya@sonyadickinson.com or 540-353-0213.