Finding the ideal home for your family's needs is no easy task, but if you stay organized and focused, the right property is sure to come along!

One of your most valuable resources in your search for a new home is an experienced real estate agent -- someone you trust and feel comfortable working with.

They'll not only set up appointments for you to visit homes in your desired price range and school district, but they'll also help keep you motivated, informed, and on track. Once you know and have shared your requirements (and "wish list") with them, your agent will be able to guide you on a path to finding the home that will best serve your needs -- both short- and longer term.

In addition to proximity to jobs, good schools, and childcare, you'll probably want to pick a location that's close to supermarkets, recreation areas, and major highways. If you have friends or family in the area, then that would also be a key consideration.

While your immediate needs are a good starting point for creating a checklist of requirements, it's also a good idea to give some thought to what you may need in the future. Plans to expand your family, possibly take care of aging parents, or adopt pets are all factors to consider when looking at prospective homes to buy.

If you have college-age children or recent graduates in the family, you might have to save room for them in your new house. Many grads need a couple more years of financial and moral support from their parents (not to mention home-cooked meals) before they're ready to venture out on their own. Houses with a finished basement, a separate in-law apartment, or even a guest cottage on the property are often well-suited for multigenerational households.

In many cases, people tend to buy a home based on their emotional reaction to it, and then justify the purchase with facts. For example, if the price was right and a particular house reminded you of your childhood home, then that combination of elements could prompt you to make an offer on the house -- assuming those childhood memories were happy!

Sometimes prospective buyers might simply love the look and feel of a neighborhood or the fact that there's a spacious, fenced-in back yard in which they can envision their children or dogs happily (and safely) playing.

According to recent surveys, today's buyers are attracted to homes that have energy efficient features, separate laundry rooms, and low-maintenance floors, counter tops, and backyard decks. Gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, a home office area, and outdoor living spaces are also popular features. Although your tastes may differ, many house hunters also like design elements such as subway tiles, hardwood floors, shaker cabinets, pendant lights, and exposed brick.

When it comes to choosing the home that you and your family will live in for the next few years, your top priorities will probably include a sufficient amount of space, plenty of convenience, and a comfortable environment in which you and your loved ones can feel safe, secure, and happy for the foreseeable future!

The home selling journey sometimes can be complicated. Lucky for you, we're here to remove the guesswork commonly associated with selling a house.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you enjoy a fast, successful home selling experience.

1. Identify Your Home's Strengths and Weaknesses

You may have taken great care of your house over the years, and now, your hard work is about to pay off. In fact, if you assess your home's strengths and weaknesses, you may be better equipped than ever before to transform your residence's weaknesses into strengths.

Sometimes, it helps to conduct a home inspection before you list your residence. An inspection enables a property expert to evaluate your residence both inside and out. Then, you can receive an inspection report that details any underlying problems with your house and correct these issues prior to adding your home to the real estate market.

2. Set an Aggressive Initial Home Asking Price

Establishing an aggressive initial home asking price is paramount. Because if you set a competitive initial home asking price, you likely won't have to wait long before you start to receive offers to purchase your house.

To determine how to price your house, you should review the prices of recently sold houses in your area and other real estate market data. Plus, it may be beneficial to perform a home appraisal to receive a property valuation that accounts for your house's condition and the current state of the real estate sector.

3. Hire an Expert Real Estate Agent

Navigating the house selling journey often is tricky, particularly for sellers who choose to work alone. Fortunately, real estate agents are available in cities and towns nationwide, and these housing market professionals can offer expert guidance throughout the property selling journey.

A real estate agent understands the home selling journey varies from seller to seller. As such, this housing market professional will craft a custom home selling strategy to help a seller achieve his or her desired results. A real estate agent also will do everything possible to promote a residence to potential buyers and ensure a seller can optimize the value of his or her house.

Furthermore, a real estate agent is happy to provide a recommendation about how a seller should proceed with an offer to purchase a house. He or she can help a seller determine whether to accept, reject or counter a property buying proposal. And if a seller has any questions about an offer to purchase, a real estate agent is ready to respond to them.

When it comes to selling a house, it is crucial to get as much help as possible. If you collaborate with an expert real estate agent, you can gain deep insights into all aspects of the home selling journey. Perhaps most important, you can receive comprehensive assistance throughout the property selling journey and increase your chances of enjoying a fast, successful home selling experience.

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Have you always wanted to design your dream home at a location of your choosing? If so, buying a plot of land to build your customized home on is probably your best option. Before getting started, you'll want to do your due diligence to ensure you're making a smart investment.

Find a Property to Build on

The concept of customizing your home is an ideal one, but the reality of finding the perfect plot isn’t so simple. You can check listings, but there are several other ways to find ready-to-build-on land.

If you find land approved but not yet suitable for build, you’ll also want to take clearing and grading the land into consideration.

Understand Local Zoning Laws

Some municipalities are stringent about how land can be used. Before you buy, it’s critically important to understand local building restrictions and zoning criteria. Any number of scenarios might prevent you from building your home. Here are just a few.

Be certain to understand every possible building restriction or zoning requirement before you purchase land. It would be disastrous to discover you can’t build your dream home the way you planned.

Utility Hookups

Does the land meet local criteria or have the right terrain for these necessities to be installed? Utility hookups are a detail you don't want to overlook—ensure you'll have access to water, sewer, electricity, natural gas and Internet. If no public water or sewer lines exist, you’ll need to learn about wells and septic tanks.

Understanding the Financials of Buying Land

Obtaining funding to buy land is a little different than taking out a mortgage to buy an already existing home. You’ll typically have a few options including paying in cash or getting a loan. Types of loans include land or lot loans, construction loans and seller-backed loans.

These loans are usually short-term and involve high-interest rates because lenders generally perceive land purchases a riskier gamble than home purchases. As with any major purchase, carefully evaluate your financial situation and consider future expenses and other contingencies before committing to a loan to purchase land.

Building your home on a plot of land takes additional planning because there are numerous details to explore before you can even begin to get started. While building a home is a more complicated process than buying an existing one, customizing a new home is a far more fulfilling investment for many people.