7 Questions to Ask When Looking for New Homes in Kalispell

Purchasing a new home is a major life decision and an equally significant financial investment. 

Therefore, before shopping for new homes in Kalispell, MT, you should pause to ask yourself a few questions. Take a moment to reflect to find the best home for you and your family. It will only benefit you in the long run. 

The question is, how do you identify the best new homes in Kalispell for you, your family, and your lifestyle? Not sure where to begin? 

We can help. Keep reading for a quick guide on the most important questions to ask when shopping for new Kalispell homes. 

1. What is My Monthly Budget?

First, you need to take a good hard look at your monthly cash flow to determine a practical housing budget. If this is your first time owning a home, this means understanding all the extra costs that come along with homeownership. For example:

• Monthly mortgage payments
• Property taxes
• Utilities (gas, water, electric, waste removal)
• Services (cable, internet, phone, etc.)
• Yearly maintenance (usually 1% of the home’s value per year)
• HOA fees (if applicable)

We recommend shopping for homes that fit comfortably within your budget. You don’t want to max out your expenses and leave yourself vulnerable to financial hardship.

2. What is My Loan Eligibility?

Next, you need to work with a bank or other mortgage lender to identify your loan eligibility. Just because you can afford something according to your personal finances, it doesn’t mean a bank is going to grant you the loan you desire. Ultimately, it comes down to your credit score and credit history. 

Your credit approval will be affected by:

• Bill payment history
• Debt to income ratio
• Type of debt
• Debt payment history

The better your credit score is, the more money you can get approved for on your loan. Additionally, a high credit score will grant you access to better loan terms and lower interest rates.

If you can’t get the loan amount or interest rate you want, you might need to spend time working on your credit score before moving forward with your plans to shop for new homes in Kalispell. Alternatively, consider finding a co-signer for the home, like a significant other, parent, or grandparent. 

3. What Type of Home is Right for My Lifestyle?

Once you know the relative price range in which you should be shopping, work with a real estate agent to help you find your best options for homes in Kalispell. Which type of home is best suited for your lifestyle (and future lifestyle).

For example, if you have a growing family, it would be wise to find a home that can accommodate children, pets, hosting parties and backyard BBQs, etc. There are several types of new homes available in Kalispell perfect for raising a young family or enjoying a comfortable retirement. 

4. Is This the Best Neighborhood for Me and My Family?

When shopping for new homes in Kalispell, ask yourself what neighborhood would be best for your family. Once again, if you have kids, you need to think about how your neighborhood will affect their childhood. This includes:

• School districts
• Safety and security
• Nearby parks and playgrounds

Additionally, there are countless benefits to living in a master-planned community in Kalispell. These neighborhoods are designed to optimize safety, access to amenities, community values, cleanliness, maintenance, socializing, and more. 

5. Will My New Home Come With Warranties?

There are perks to buying new Kalispell homes. One of which is gaining access to new home warranties. 

When you buy a new home, not only are you moving into a house with no previous history, but you also get peace of mind knowing that it’s under warranty. All the major structural and functional components of the house are protected.

If something was installed incorrectly, is defective, or malfunctions, you won’t have to pay to have it repaired or replaced. Just make sure you understand the warranty contract, what is covered, and under what circumstances. 

6. Does This Home Fall Under an HOA?

The value of living in Kalispell cannot be overstated. Kalispell, MT, is one of the loveliest places in the US. It has all the major amenities you would ever need and is bordered by breathtaking mountains, lakes, streams, and forests. 

However, while shopping for new homes in Kalispell, you can also take advantage of homes that fall under homeowners associations. While HOAs do come with associated fees, they also optimize your homeownership experience. 

For example, HOAs help maintains the quality and cleanliness of the neighborhood. This generally means a safer, healthier, and happier environment in which to raise a family. In most cases, it also means having access to community amenities. 

7. Is This Home in the Right Location?

Finally, when looking for new Kalispell homes, make sure you’re shopping in the right location. Some people prefer to be on the edge of town or slightly outside of town for more peace, privacy, and quietness.

However, you might want a home in a friendly community of people that’s closer to work. After all, you’re not living in a big city, so you probably don’t want to spend a ton of time commuting every day. 

Ask yourself what the best location is for you and your family. Do you want to be close to the major part of town and all of its amenities? Or do you prefer some space from the rest of society?

Looking for New Homes in Kalispell?

Are you planning on moving to Kalispell, MT? Perhaps you already live here and are just looking to upgrade to a new home?

Regardless, start your search by shopping for new homes in Kalispell in master-planned communities. You could ask for no better place to raise a family or enjoy a safe and happy life. 

And if you’re ready to get started, contact us today to get in touch with one of the amazing members of our team. We would love to work with you to help you find the perfect home for you and your family.