The 15 Biggest Factors That Will Determine Whether You're Happy With Your Home

Are you at risk of choosing the wrong house because you're focusing on features that don't truly matter in the long run? Many buyers do this because it's easy to get caught up in aesthetics.

The reality, though, is that 15 key things will affect your day-to-day living more than anything -- and all are difficult to change. These are the things that will affect your long-term happiness.

Here's what they are.

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Your mortgage payment may be the single biggest factor affecting whether buying your home is a good decision or a bad one.

If your payment is easily affordable, you will be able to pay your bills without stress and save for other financial goals. But if you stretch and buy at the top of your budget, you could face constant financial worries. Accomplishing other objectives will be harder, and you could risk foreclosure if even a minor emergency affects your income.

Ideally, you will want to ensure you keep total housing costs below 25% to 30% of your income to make sure you're in good shape.

ALSO READ: How Much House Can I Afford?

Your mortgage payments are not your only monthly expense. You want to make sure insurance and property taxes are affordable, too.

If you buy a house in a flood zone or area prone to other natural disasters, you could ultimately be spending much more than you are comfortable with to insure your property. And that could affect your long-term happiness.

You should also expect property taxes to increase over time, so be prepared to work this expense into your budget to avoid financial stress.

Some homes are in neighborhoods with homeowners associations (HOA). Your personality and goals will determine whether you are better off in an HOA neighborhood.

If you want an association to set rules for property upkeep and organize events, you might be unhappy in a place without an HOA. But if you want to be free to do what you'd like, without restrictions, on your property, you absolutely need to look for a place without an HOA. Especially if you want to enjoy living in your home over the long run.

ALSO READ: What is a Homeowners Association?

If you have a long, miserable commute to work every day, you will likely not be happy in your home. A terrible drive would mean starting and ending every workday facing a lot of stress. It could also eat away at the time you spend doing other things you enjoy.

When buying your home, consider how far you'll have to travel to work and how pleasant the drive is.

Obviously, you will not be happy in a home if you are afraid to go outside or your car is being broken into constantly. You want to prioritize picking a place where you feel safe. Safety is one of the most crucial factors affecting your happiness, so consider sacrificing other things, if necessary, to get into a safe property.

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Are you near a hospital in case you get sick? Can you get high-speed internet access at home, or will you be relegated to expensive, unreliable satellite service? Does your cell phone work at home, or do you have no bars?

If you buy a house and it turns out you cannot easily access services you consider essential, you will not be happy no matter what other features the property has.

ALSO READ: Is Relocating in Retirement the Right Choice for You?

For some people, walkability is very important -- whether it's a lifestyle choice or a good way to save money by eliminating a car. Some retirees also prize walkability for enhanced social opportunities and for aging in place, as it may allow you access to goods and services even if you eventually stop driving.

If you desire walkability, you won't be happy in a house where you have to get into a car to go anywhere. So this is definitely a feature to prioritize when looking for a place to live.

People have differing levels of tolerance for living too near others. If you don't want to see another neighbor from your windows, deciding which house you buy will be very different from someone who loves being part of a vibrant community where everyone is close enough to chat.

That will also greatly impact your lifestyle, so consider the space around you when purchasing a home.

ALSO READ: Are You Ready to Buy a House?

Noise pollution impacts your quality of life tremendously. You don't want to be unable to relax or sleep because it is so loud inside your home. So pay attention to the noise level around you and how well the home deadens it.

If you are right on an airline flight route or a train travels a few hundred yards from your door, you may come to regret your decision to buy.

You won't just be living in a house when you purchase a property. You'll be living in a neighborhood. You'll want to ensure the one you select is a good fit.

If you have kids, for example, you may want a street with other families so they can find playmates. On the other hand, if you are older and retired, you may want a quieter area where you don't have the constant chaos of a street full of children playing outside your front door.

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Home maintenance takes time and money. If you aren't up for major upgrades or don't want to spend hours mowing your lawn every weekend, you likely won't be happy in a house that requires that. Consider both interior and exterior maintenance tasks when deciding whether a home is right for you.

It can be really difficult to change a house's layout, especially if it would require moving load-bearing walls or relocating plumbing. You should be certain you like the flow of the rooms and have enough space to do the things you enjoy in your home.

ALSO READ: Why You Should Consider an Inverted Floor Plan

No matter how big or small a house is, storage space greatly impacts whether living in it is comfortable. If you don't have room to put away your possessions, your house may always feel too small and cluttered. Pay attention to the closet, basement, garage, and attic spaces when selecting a property.

Unless you love to clean or can hire someone to do it for you, you don't want a space that's a hassle to keep up with. Check for things like intricate trim work, a fancy chandelier that will gather dust, or a huge tub you'll have to climb into to clean. If you want these features, consider whether you're prepared to actually spend the time and effort necessary to keep them looking nice.

Finally, think about whether your home fits the life you are currently living and the life you will live in the future. You should buy a home for the life you have, not the life you want. That's simply because a property will not change your fundamental habits.

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When you are house hunting, don't get caught up in a nice kitchen or a pretty bathroom or a weedy front yard or a bad paint job. You can always remodel, repaint, or replant these spaces later.

It is important to look at these 15 key factors that will shape your day-to-day life and are difficult to change. If these don't work for you, pass up the property no matter how perfect it seems on the surface.

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