Picking Which Las Vegas Homes Will Last

With home prices and
interest rates at historic lows and plenty of Las Vegas homes
to choose from, there
has never been a better time for first-time buyers to join the ranks of homeowners.

Some buyers will qualify for loans that allow
them to purchase their dream home. Others may choose starter Las Vegas homes and
expect to “trade up” in the future. But expectations aside, whichever group you
fit into, it pays to choose a floor plan that has room to grow as your needs
and your family expand.

When looking at Las Vegas homes, take careful note of
floor plans. Try to envision the home’s
potential for adjustment. Your
contractor will check for any plans but it’s also wise to have a look round the
area yourself. While no one wants to be take down walls when a
new baby is born, certain options may be needed for such circumstances.

Recognize that load bearing walls should
generally not be touched. However, if two smaller rooms are separated by a non-load
bearing partition, removing all or part of one wall can be a way to create a
larger living or sleeping area.

Similarly, if the kitchen area seems adequate
for now, you may want to expand it as your family grows to allow for everyone
and perhaps a few guests – to fit around the same table. If there is a
partition between the kitchen and dining room that can be removed later, you
may be able to grow into the house without having to grow the house itself.

In general, when looking at
homes, ask yourself these questions:

– Does it have enough sinks, showers and
toilets to accommodate a family’s morning rush? If not, is there adequate space
to add on another bathroom?

– Is there a guest room, or can you add one
later to accommodate guests or an aging parent?

– Is there enough closet or storage space to
handle all your stuff, or is there room to “push out” an existing wall in order
to add more?

If you love the home but are unsure about its
potential for expansion, talk with a reputable local contractor before you make
your buying decision.

As you need to consider all
of these, still the best way for the right home is to attain the right balance between
affordability, availability and suitability. There are many factors
affecting the choice of home but location should be the first in line. You can
improve the property but you can’t move it. Think not just about the
desirability of the neighborhood, but how it might change in the future. You may afford to borrow more but the idea of buying the
house of your dreams that’s really more than you can afford will just turn into a
financial nightmare.

Having controlled out what you can afford– considering any
costs for improving the property – you need to find out whether the kind of
Las Vegas homes you want is available in the area of your chosen location. It’s most
likely that you will have to compromise on some of your likes and
dislikes.