The process of Shopping for a new home can be quite exciting. It can be the start of a new chapter in your life as well as a chance to make a good investment for your future. More than one in four Americans have said that the best place to put their money is in real estate. They may just be right considering that prices of homes are expected to continue to rise throughout the year. Not to mention, demand for homes also continues to get stronger. That means if you purchase a home now, you have a good chance of being able to sell it easily in the future in case you choose to relocate. That said, getting a good home for your family that also doubles as a good investment rests on a number of factors. The key is to weigh all these things before you actually commit to a purchase. Here are some factors you simply can't ignore when shopping for the right home. Location More than anything, the location of your new home has to be convenient for you and your entire family. With this in mind,suburbs are not a bad place to consider. If you are thinking of looking for a new job near your new home, you may be glad to know that job growth in the suburbs has become more balanced recently. In fact, 67.5 percent of employment in the 50 largest metro areas in the US was in the suburbs back in 2014. That means you don't have to commute downtown just to go to the office. You can stay near your residential area instead. If you want to be certain there is a job waiting for you when you move, you can always inquire about job openings while you are shopping for a new home. At the same time, you may also want to take note of the home's proximity to schools and shopping centers. Having all these close would make life a lot more convenient for you and your brood. Age Sure, old homes have their unique charm. Some of them even have historical significance, which would help preserve the home's value over time.  However, you also have to keep in mind that older homes tend to require a lot more upkeep. You may end up having to spend a significant amount of money on home repairs before you can even move in. In contrast, a newer home comes with a lot less maintenance issues. As soon as you give the home a good cleaning, you may be able to move in with your family. Space Perhaps, one of the most critical factors to consider when buying a new home is the space it provides. After all, breaking a wall down and embarking on your own extension project may not be practical. It can be very costly. When checking out a home, make sure it has all the space you need. For starters, there should be enough bedrooms for everyone. There should already be extra rooms available too, in case you are looking to set up a home office, gym or library. Remember that trying to add these rooms on your own may end up costing you as much as the house itself. Floor Plan Think of it this way, the square footage of two homes may be the same but the floor plans make all the difference. One home may have most of its space in the living area. In contrast, the other home may have allotted more space to the individual rooms, making each bedroom a lot more spacious. Figure out what kind of floor plan layout works better for you. In particular, decide on what is more comfortable. Make it a point to consider all these things when shopping for your next new home. Keep in mind that getting it right is important so you can be sure you have a home that makes your family feel happy and comfortable. It's also the best way to ensure that you have made a great investment for the future. Call and talk to one of the professionals at Nu Home Source Realty today. 1.866.761.5217