Buyer Resource Center › The Home Buying Process › 5 Factors to Help Define Your Ideal Home
The fastest way to find the right home is to know what you're looking for before you start touring. Buyers who skip this step tend to fall for the wrong house, or keep searching for months without making a decision. These five factors will help you build a clear picture of your ideal home, and they're the same ones I walk through with every veteran and military family I work with.
The 5 Factors
Location and Commute
Start with where you need to be every day. Think about your commute to work, school, a Guard or Reserve drill site, or the Portland VA Medical Center, and test drive it at rush hour. Crossing the Columbia River or the I-5 and I-205 bridges can change a commute dramatically.
Home Type and Size
Single family, townhome, condo, or a duplex where you live in one unit? Count the bedrooms and bathrooms you really need, and think about how you'll use the space. A main floor bedroom, a home office, or a shop in the garage might matter more than an extra room you'll never use.
Neighborhood and Lifestyle
Walkability, parks, schools, grocery stores, noise, and the feel of the street all shape your daily life. Visit at different times of day, and on a weekend, before you commit to an area.
Budget and Monthly Payment
Decide on the monthly payment you're comfortable with, including property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and utilities, and shop in the price range that fits. Property taxes vary quite a bit between Oregon and Washington and even between neighborhoods.
Your Future Plans
How long do you expect to live here? Will your family grow, or will you be moving again in a few years? A home that's easy to resell, or that would make a good rental, gives you options down the road.
For Veteran Investors
Thinking About a Duplex, Triplex, or Fourplex?
Your VA loan can buy a building with up to four units with no down payment, as long as you live in one of them. Rent from the other units helps cover the mortgage, and it's one of the best wealth building moves a veteran can make. As a Certified Investor Agent Specialist (CIAS™), I help you run the numbers before you ever write an offer.
Buying a Duplex With a VA Loan Free Investment CalculatorThe bottom line: Write down your must haves, your nice to haves, and your deal breakers before you tour. Most buyers make some trade offs, and knowing your priorities ahead of time makes those decisions much easier. I'm happy to sit down with you and build that list together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I decide before I start touring homes?
Know your comfortable monthly payment, the areas you're considering, the type of home you want, and your must haves versus nice to haves. Getting pre-approved with a VA lender first makes your search much more focused.
Should I live in Oregon or Washington?
It depends on your work, budget, and lifestyle. Oregon has a state income tax but no sales tax, while Washington has no state income tax but does have sales tax. Property taxes, commute, and home prices also differ, so it's worth comparing your specific situation.
How do I pick a neighborhood if I'm moving from out of state?
Start with your commute and budget, then narrow down from there. Video tours, neighborhood drive videos, and a local agent who knows the area can help you choose with confidence before you arrive.
How many bedrooms do I really need?
Think about how you live today and what's likely in the next five years. A flexible room that can be an office, guest room, or nursery is often more valuable than an extra bedroom you rarely use.
Can I use a VA loan on a duplex or fourplex?
Yes. A VA loan can buy a property with up to four units with no down payment, as long as you live in one of them. Rent from the other units can help cover your mortgage.
What if I can't find a home with everything on my list?
That's normal. Focus on what's hard to change, like location, layout, and lot, and be flexible on things that are easy to update, like paint, flooring, and fixtures.
Keep Reading
The Two House Test
A simple way to compare homes side by side and make a confident choice.
Read more ›Beyond the Showing: 4 Things to Consider Before You Buy
Commute, neighborhood, noise, and the things a showing won't tell you.
Read more ›Buying a Condo: Pros, Cons, and Questions to Ask
Lifestyle trade offs, HOA questions, and VA approval for Portland area condos.
Read more ›
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. Content adapted in part from ABR® consumer resources. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
