There are numerous things to consider when buying a house. First you will need to decide if you are going to buy a spec home, buy a pre-existing home, or buy a fixer-upper. No matter what type of home you choose to invest in, there are certain things you should be looking for to ensure you end up with a home that you not only think is beautiful, but one that is practical, functional, and livable for every member of your household (because, let’s face it, your husband can’t spend every night in the dog house)!
If you have children, you will want to consider the school district and daycares. Ask around, do plenty of research. Is the education available in your area, public or private, to your liking? Is it convenient for your schedule? Where will the kids buses load and unload?

Check into the crime statistics and the general safety of the area. Is crime on the rise? What is the main type of crime? If you have found a house in your price range, find out what other houses in the area are going for. You would rather have on of the smaller houses in a neighborhood then the largest. The reasoning behind this theory is that the bigger houses will add value to your house, but if you have a big house in a neighborhood full of small houses, they will make the value of your larger home decrease.
           
I picked up this next little tip from a contractor. I was riding out to look at a lot with a contractor and we pulled up to a seemingly lovely lot. The houses to the left and right were new, and it was a large level lot. Not only that, but it was priced great! He asked me what I thought about it. Puzzled as to why he wasn’t as in awe over the lot as myself, I asked him, “What isn’t to like?” He then proceeded to back onto the lot. Now having the prospective of what it would be like to look out my future front door, I no longer saw pretty houses and lush yard. The house across the street was a rundown, junky mess. The developer had strategically placed a couple bushed so that the eye sore wasn’t terribly obvious to people driving by, but who ever lived on that lot was going to be looking at this house for years to come. Lesson learned. When you are looking at house, pay close attention to area’s around it. Not just the house’s to your left and right, but the whole neighborhood upkeep in general. You want to be in a place where others are going to take just as much pride in their home as you will yours.

Other thoughts to ponder while on your search are things like: Is there enough room? Not just now, but in the future. Even if you don’t plan on expanding your family, chances are you will be expanding stuff! Sure, right now you have a place for all your treasures, but do you have ample room to grow?

Also consider the floor plan. Will it work with your families needs? Are there relatives that are handicapped? Are there sports fans that will need a place to store dirty gear? Do you want the laundry room up stairs or down? Do you have enough cabinet space? Not just in the kitchen, but in the bath areas as well? If you have a large family, is the pantry large enough for all their needs? Are the appliances adequate? Are there enough bathrooms? Do you want a formal dining room or could it be converted to an office or playroom? Do you want a patio or deck of sorts? Is it fenced in? (If so, make sure there are no holes where Fido could get lose). You have 3 cars, the house only has a 2 car garage, now what? Consider the yard plan as well. Is there room for the pets, kids, garden, hot tub, or whatever is to your liking? Is it all sun or all shade? Are you going to have to cut down dangerous trees that could snap in storms? Is there enough privacy?
Does the neighborhood offer the amenities you need? Swimming pools, playgrounds, sidewalks, well lit at night, neighborhood watch programs, etc.

Consider what is around the area as well. Do you want a quiet suburb or a bustling town? How far is the grocery store, restaurants, movies and entertainment, the hospital, other friends and relatives, and transportation systems? What is the area around you like at night? Is it loud and bright or quiet and settled? How is pollution in the area? What is the area doing to prevent the progression of the pollution? Don’t forget about the commute to work, especially, if you dealing with city life. How long will your commute take, and what type of traffic are you going to have to deal with on a day to day basis?