I heard the housing market has officially hit bottom!  There’s not place to go but up (we hope).  Whether you’re buying your first house as a couple or your last, it’s the biggest joint decision behind actually getting married and having kids.  You could be lucky and be looking for the same thing in a house or you could totally different ideas of the perfect home.  Like everything, you have to compromise.  Take time to assess your wants and needs individually and be focal during the search.  Here are some things you need to keep in mind when searching for a new house together so the home buying experience is something you’ll missing when the hunt is over!

• Location, location, location - a good location is important, but more important is how will the commute impact your relationship?  If one person is driving 3 hours each day, that’s 3 hours less you get too see them AND it’s 3 hours more you have to care for the household responsibilities on your own.
• A Special Place - Men usually want a lot of land, a nice garage or an awesome man cave.  Women usually want the perfect chef’s kitchen and a spa-like bathroom.  Decide if you need a space that’s all your own and make that need known.  If you partner wants a garage, don’t drag him to see a house with a carport and hope he won’t notice!
• Fix-R-Up - If both you and your spouse don’t know squat about home repair and you don’t have any clue what the repairs or redo’s will cost, stay away from homes that will just cause you headaches.  Research how much that new roof will be or how much all new windows will cost before you put in a bid.  There will always be repairs that come up, but knowing your limitations (mechanically and financially) will help you narrow down what kind of home is best for you.
• Do it Together - Our buyer’s agent for our first home told us he wouldn’t do a first showing of a house with anyone but us.  No family or friends, just us.  He said that all too often well-meaning outsiders sway a couple into a home that isn’t right for them.  Bring mom and dad the second time around if you want their opinion, but never on the first walk-through.

Oh how I miss the hunt!  If you’re searching for a home with your spouse, enjoy the ride!