People love to buy homes in places with great weather. For example, many cities on the west coast offer beautiful weather nearly all year long in addition to proximity to large bodies of water, numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, and exposure to a variety of cultures.
Others like to buy homes away from the coasts, in the hopes of finding a lower cost of living without sacrificing too many amenities. For example, look at the influx of people who have moved from California to Austin in recent years.
Smaller towns and cities near bigger cities are especially popular, giving residents proximity to all of the perks of a big city without the price tag. Living near a large city doesn’t come with some challenges, such as the traffic for instance, but for many the pros outweigh the cons. Examples of this might be living in Burbank instead of Los Angeles, or Round Rock instead of Austin.
Here are some tips for buying a home in 2023 and why you should consider it instead of renting for another year.
Get Ready to Scroll
You can start ahead of time by looking at various websites which list available homes for sale. Whether you’re looking for big cities like Austin and Los Angeles, or small towns like Round Rock and Burbank homes for sale, be prepared to look at a lot of listings.
Working with a Realtor is helpful, but if you’re trying to decide between multiple geographic locations, it might help to see how much home you can get for the money before you begin working with a real estate professional.
Get Ready to Spend More Than the Asking Price
As we round the corner into 2023, there is a lot of competition for houses. Many homes don’t stay on the market long and then end up with multiple offers. While this is great for the sellers, a bidding war can be unnerving for buyers.
Since this is a common occurrence even for people outside of the so-called “Best Places to Live,” it’s important to work with an experienced real estate agent. Dial in what you’re looking for, whether it’s homes that come with beautiful gardens or others that have easy access to public transportation.
Get Ready to Explore: Get the Lay of the Land
Okay, so you’ve just bought a home. If you’re new to a community, one of the first things you should do is get familiar with your surroundings. Start by getting a map of your new home or use Google maps to get around.
You can start exploring neighborhoods and streets. You’ll find local shops, coffee places, and more all throughout the area. Find out where grocery stores are and what kind of food they offer—is there an organic section? Do they carry gluten-free products? Do they have organic produce?
Get Ready to Work on Building a Social Circle
Becoming a regular at your favorite places is an important way to connect with the community and make friends in the area.
There’s no magic number of times you have to visit a restaurant or shop before becoming “regular” status, but if you feel like the staff knows your name and what you order without looking at the menu, then you’re probably on your way. It can also help you build friendships with other regulars.
Get Ready to Experience: Learn the Area’s History
It’s fun to learn about the local history when you live somewhere new. It gives you a greater appreciation for the local architecture, historic sites, and why the city grew the way that it did. Every major city (and many smaller ones) will have at least one museum. Even better are guided architectural tours
If you’re looking for something new to see, or want to try a different way of getting around, there are plenty of ways to explore most places. Take a walk through your neighborhood and explore what’s nearby.
You might find interesting shops or a new favorite restaurant. Maybe you can rent a bike from one of the local bike rental businesses and explore the city by riding through it instead. This is especially fun during the spring and fall.
Get Ready to Give Back
One of the best ways to meet new people and get involved in your community is by joining local groups and volunteering. Meetup.com is a great resource for finding these types of opportunities, or you can look at events on Facebook.
You can find meetups for just about anything you want to do including running, yoga, writing workshops, book clubs, acting workshops, videography classes, etc.
