Rate Your Spaces.  Consider how and where you spend most of your time at home.  If you love to entertain, an open floorplan with a large kitchen and eating areas are must-haves.  Have (or plan to have) children?  Then it most likely is important to have visibility into most areas of the main floor from the kitchen so you can keep an eye on them.  Many stay-at-home moms also wish for a large space where they can spend time painting, crafting, playing music etc. with their children. 

Work from home?  A large home office with a door that can be completely closed is critical.  You may also need an entrance directly into your office if, for example, you practice massage therapy or professional coaching.  You’ll be most productive in your new home when you have a private space that guards against interruptions.  Be sure to evaluate how you will use all of the square footage to ensure you choose a floorplan which provides the flexibility you and your family needs.

Housing should be a drama-free zone in 2015. “After the boom, the bust, and the recovery bounce, we are transitioning to a calmer market driven by fundamentals,” says Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia.

With the recent economic growth and mortgage rates remaining steady, “bubbly” gains in housing are not likely in 2015.  The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is unlikely to surpass 5% and household incomes are largely unchanging.  While home prices are already an average of 20% higher, buyers will not have the capacity to push prices sharply up.

Here’s what to do if you’re thinking about buying or selling in 2015:

Sellers, forget bidding wars.

In most markets you still have leverage, but less than you did.  “You have to price your house right,” says Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson.  Need help selling your existing home?  Echelon Homes has a solution for you. If you purchase a new construction home from Echelon Homes, Marketplace Homes will agree to a Guaranteed Lease for your home for up to 6 years!

Don’t worry about double payments, price cuts, or cancellations on your new home. Marketplace Homes will put their money on the line so you don’t have to. Thousands of families choose to work with Marketplace Homes to make their move easier!

Buyers, save interest.

While mortgage rates are not expected to jump until later in the year, a winter move will likely land you the lowest rates.  Don’t delay.  Now may be the perfect time to buy!  Hoping to pay off your home before retirement?  The 15-year fixed rate mortgage, now at 3.3% is likely to remain below 4% for most of the year.

Original Article: http://time.com/money

Image source: realtor.com