8 Things to Look For When Searching for Homes in Chelsea

Searching for a new home is no doubt an exciting time, but it can also be an overwhelming process – especially if it’s your first time doing so. There are many factors to take into consideration, such as the number of bedrooms you ideally want local amenities to neighborhood safety. You might be wondering how to prioritize everything to decide which home is the right fit for you. If you find that you’re asking yourself that question, then this guide is for you. Read on for a list of things to look for when searching for homes in Chelsea.

Having a list of what you want in your dream home is fun, but you also need to choose a home that falls within your price range. After all, you don’t want to end up with a mortgage payment that you’re not comfortable with. Before you start looking at homes, be sure to get your finances in order. Namely, you’ll want to get pre-approved or pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. This process will help determine how much money you can borrow to buy a home. Lenders will look at your income, assets, debt, and credit score to establish how much you can borrow and what your interest rate will be. It’s smart to get quotes from at least two to three different lenders, instead of simply going with the first lender you get a quote from.

In addition to choosing a home that fits into your budget, you’ll want to have a monthly mortgage payment that you’re comfortable with. Considering today’s red hot real estate market, be prepared for a potential bidding war. Homes are selling faster than ever before, so you might need to negotiate. Even if you end up negotiating, don’t break the bank on what you can ultimately afford.

Chelsea is known for its vibrant and artistic nature, so it’s no surprise that the architectural styles also reflect the neighborhood’s creative side. While you’re house hunting, keep an eye out for styles that appeal to you and your lifestyle. Chelsea is home to a varied mix of architectural types and here’s a look into two of the most popular.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome, the Greek Revival style is well represented throughout Chelsea. This style gained popularity in the 1830s and was commonly used for civic buildings, churches, or suburban homes for the wealthy. Often made of brick, brownstone, or wood, this style can be found in both row houses and freestanding buildings. Greek Revival homes often feature classical columns, which are square or round, and emphasize symmetry and elegance.

A walk around Chelsea will reveal a number of Anglo-Italianate homes, a style that was popular in the mid-1800s. This style can be recognized by its low stoop, rounded forms, and center stair. It draws inspiration from the Italianate style and shares a number of characteristics, primarily consisting of a typical brownstone or red brick-clad row houses with heavy, ornate carved stone parlor floor entrances.

It’s smart to have an idea of what size you want your future home to have, including an ideal number of bedrooms and bathrooms. This will help your realtor narrow their search down to listings that meet your criteria. You want to be content with the layout and square footage of your home. Think about storage needs and other factors that are specific to your individual situation.

Don’t forget to take into account any future needs you might have further down the road. For instance, if you’re planning on growing your family, you’ll probably want an extra bedroom to give yourself sufficient space. Meanwhile, if you work from home, having a space designated as a home office is most likely a necessity.

You don’t want any surprises when buying a home, which is why most realtors suggest adding a home inspection contingency. Home inspections typically cost a few hundred dollars and will provide you with a complete report that assesses the property’s condition. It will take into account a number of different elements, including the condition of the structure, roof, heating system, windows, walls, plumbing, and electrical. By doing this, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the condition of a home. After all, not all issues are visible upfront, which is where a home inspection comes in handy.

If the home inspection does bring up issues, then be sure to review the report with your real estate agent. A good agent will be able to make solid recommendations as to what repairs or concessions you should ask for. Negotiating after a home inspection is common with most real estate transactions, so it’s normal to make requests in an inspection that yields problems. When it comes to repairs that need fixing, don’t sweat the small stuff or insignificant cosmetic details. Unless something is a building code violation, structural issue, or safety concern, it’s best to plan to address it yourself after you buy the house.

You’ve probably heard it before, but location, location, location is one of the most important considerations when house hunting. While you can change features about your home itself, location is the only thing that you cannot change. Therefore, it should be one of the most important decisions when it comes time to buy.

Location is the key to valuable real estate. It also plays a significant role when it comes to a property’s value and future appreciation potential. The reason for this is that location dictates the demand in a real estate market. Considering how Chelsea is one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, you can expect your home to stand the test of time and be appreciated throughout the years. As the demand for a location increases, this will spark the appreciation to continue to increase as well.

The location of a home determines its accessibility to the city’s best amenities. This includes proximity to downtown, the airport, shopping, and restaurants. Lucky for you, living in Chelsea means that you can look forward to an array of amenities right outside your doorstep. Be sure to ask yourself what’s most important to you when house hunting. Do you want to live within walking distance of parks and green spaces? Do you plan on taking public transportation? Are you someone who enjoys dining out at restaurants or grabbing a drink at the bar? The life stage you are in plays a big role in determining what amenities you want nearby.

If you are a child or plan on having children in the near future, then proximity to schools should be near the top of your list. Understandably, parents want to provide the highest quality education for their children. Once you’ve found a neighborhood you like, it’s a good idea to take a close look at the schools to determine if it’s the right fit for you and your family. Is the home zoned for quality public schools? How’s the overall local school district? Are there private schools nearby?

Even if you do not have school-aged children, the quality of schools impacts the neighborhood and location. Owning a home in a highly regarded school district is perhaps one of the best ways to retain and grow your home’s value. Be sure to do your own research on local schools or ask your realtor if you have any neighborhood-specific questions. You can also make an in-person visit to each of the schools your child may attend to get a tour and meet with administrators.

There’s no question that buying a house is most likely the largest financial decision you’ll make in your life, which is why it’s important to be prepared. The best way to navigate this scary, yet exciting, the process is by hiring a trusted local realtor. Realtors wear many different hats and will assist in everything from helping you find potential listings to advising you in making an offer. Plus, realtors are experts in the neighborhood and have a thorough understanding of the local market. They’ll be familiar with everything from school districts to nearby amenities. This is especially helpful if you’re buying in a neighborhood that you aren’t familiar with.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell Chelsea real estate, Kelly Robinson is there to help guide you through the process. Regardless of if you’re looking for a vacation spot or a forever home, Kelly and her talented team are equipped to help you find your dream home. Kelly has been selling commercial real estate in New York City since 2005 and is ready to help you find a place that truly feels like home.