Some people love the excitement of moving into a new home as seasons change, switching up the style or the location. For others, the dream is to buy a “forever home,” a term coined to describe a house that you will live in for decades to come.
Buying a forever home in Los Angeles is an accomplishment, a significant investment that builds generational wealth and allows you to begin creating priceless memories in a place you will call home for many years.
How do you know when it’s time to look for your forever home, and what do you need to keep in mind as you search for it? We have some thoughts to help you prepare.
What is a Forever Home?
A forever home might literally be the house you live in for the rest of your life, or it may just be a place that you can call home for many years. The point is, this is a home you do not view as a stepping stone to another place. It is somewhere you want to settle into, make memories in, and maybe even pass on to the next generation someday in the future.
Your forever home might be a piece of luxury real estate on the beach that you have been working toward for your entire career, or it might be something more modest and charming. The point is not to find something that is impressive or meets a certain set of criteria, but to find something you can fall in love with and feel at home in for many years.
What should my Forever Home Feature?
Deciding what to look for in a forever home is an entirely personal choice. Make a list of what your forever home should feature to help guide your search when the time comes.
As you consider what your forever home should feature, these are some questions you should ask yourself:
- Do I hope to age in place? If so, this home should either already be designed to accommodate that goal, or have the potential to be renovated for it. Aging in place will require at least one wheelchair accessible entrance, a full bathroom and bedroom on the main floor, walker or wheelchair accessibility, and perhaps space for an overnight caregiver to stay.
- How many bedrooms do I need to have? Consider the number of kids you have, whether you expect to host overnight guests regularly, and any plans you have for your future. You don’t have a crystal ball, but you can make your best guess about how many people will be living in the home or regularly visiting overnight.
- What type of entertaining do I plan to do? If this is your forever home, it may be a place you plan to host big holiday gatherings, hope to host your child’s wedding, or dream of having an art studio or other hobby space. Get specific with yourself about what your dream home would include.
- Do I want to renovate or have something move-in ready? If you plan to live in the home for years to come, some renovation and time-consuming maintenance is bound to be a part of the deal. However, you should decide now if you are interested in a project that is ready for renovation now or is a more move-in ready property.
How do I Choose a Location for my Forever Home?
The location of your home is one of the most significant factors that will determine whether it can be your forever home. While you may be happy to deal with a less than ideal location for a few years as an investment to work toward other goals, your forever home should be located in your ideal spot.
This includes the type of neighborhood it is in, how far it is from the beach, your work commute, the school district you are in, and the local property taxes and services. Choose your location wisely and with intentionality to make sure this home really does work as your forever home.
When am I Ready to Find my Forever Home?
Everyone will be ready to begin the search for their forever home at a different time, based on budgets, what they are looking for, other financial goals, and a wide range of other factors. If you think you may be ready, let’s chat about how we can help.
To begin looking for homes for sale in Los Angeles, contact us any time. We are ready to help you find your forever home.
