Finding a place to not only live, but also entertain like royalty, can be easier said than done. Before you can delight your guests with unmatched entertainment, you need a home with the right layout and features. These qualities will make hosting your loved ones easier, so that you can focus on the food, drinks, and decor. So line up your wish list, grab your realtor, and get to searching. With these tips, you’ll be hosting your first party in no time! 

Preparing to Search for Your Dream Home

The home buying process can be stressful, but there are a few things you can do to feel informed and reduce the anxiety. A great first step is to get preapproved for a mortgage. Bank of America notes that preapproval “is as close as you can get to confirming your creditworthiness without having a purchase contract in place.” The preapproval means that you know what size loan you qualify for and how much house you can actually afford. It also means that you can view homes with confidence, knowing that a bank will loan you the money to purchase the houses you are viewing. Further, mortgage preapproval provides means that you can quickly put in an offer if you fall in love with a house you view. 

The loan size you qualify for generally hinges on your income, credit score, and debt to income ratio. However, there are other factors that can complicate the process. If you recently became self-employed, you may find it difficult to secure a loan because lenders generally want two years of income verification. It’s their job to protect their investment, and running your own business is not always stable in the first few years. Filing for bankruptcy also hinders your ability to secure a loan. Depending on the type of bankruptcy, you could be looking at a 1-4 year waiting period before a bank will grant you a preapproval.

Ensure you choose a real estate agent with knowledge of the market where you plan to purchase your home. Experts emphasize that a reliable agent is especially important for new home buyers. You will be dealing with this agent for weeks or months as you navigate the home-buying process, so you want to trust the person and establish a decent rapport.

Finding the Right Home

Once you’ve been preapproved for a mortgage, focus on the type of house and neighborhood you envision yourself living in. For example, an open floor plan allows you to move freely throughout the space as your dinner guests mingle. Backyard spaces can also make great entertaining areas, if you live in a temperate climate. Even if things are laid out just as you want, look at the size and overall structure of the yard to see if it’s the right space for you. And don’t overlook basements! They can be made into great entertaining spaces, too.

It’s rare to find a house that matches your dream space 100%. It’s helpful if you go into your house hunting with realistic expectations and an idea of how much renovation you are reading and willing to do. For instance, a home without an open floor plan does not have to be a deal-breaker. You can always change the layout down the road, as long as you refrain from removing any load-bearing walls. And that large backyard can be customized for the fire pit, outdoor bar, and pool you wanted – IF you’re willing to spend the time and money to have it done. 

If you really can’t find the home you’ve been dreaming about, consider investing in new construction. You can either purchase a plot and customize a predesigned home from a builder in a new community, or purchase a plot of land and work with an architect and contract actors yourself. Either way, you’ll get a lot more control over your home’s design, and you’ll get all new everything.

Prepping Your Home for Guests

Once you’re moved in and settled, it’s time for the fun part: party planning! You’ve likely mapped out every chair and table placement in your mind, but now you need to make sure the layouts in your head work in your physical space. Think about how many people will attend, whether the party will be casual or formal, and what sorts of activities you want to make available. Then, design your entertaining space around those plans.

Then it’s time for the less fun part: cleaning. If your party is close to your move in date, then decluttering is probably not an issue. But dirt and dust accumulate pretty quickly, and you want a clean place for your loved ones to relax and enjoy the party. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Plan out some steps to take in the week or two before your party, so that you aren’t managing grocery shopping, decorating, rearranging, and cleaning all at once. 

Like a Royal Gala: The Picture Perfect Party

You’ve worked hard to get the right home to host parties and gatherings, so make sure that your furniture is up to the challenge, too. If you have a piece of furniture, such as a couch or chair, that is worn or doesn’t blend with the rest of your design scheme, consider having it reupholstered. You can conduct research online by reading reviews for upholstery shops in your area. 

Ascertain quotes before making a hiring decision, and be sure you communicate your needs and expectations for breathing new life into the piece of furniture. According to Upgraded Home, the price tag for having a large couch reupholstered can vary from $1,200 to $3,500, depending on the size, fabric choice, and whether the order is custom designed.

If you plan to have a sit-down meal for your hosting event, you can create a beautiful table with a centerpiece and place settings. For more casual entertainment, you may still want to adorn your dining table with a beautiful centerpiece, but steer clear of the place settings. Instead, keep plates and utensils close to the refreshments for the benefit of your guests. You can easily find holiday and special occasion table decor ideas online, too.

Finding the perfect home to allow you to entertain like royalty with ease does not have to be as stressful as you might think. Take your time finding the right space, get preapproved for a mortgage, and prepare your home in the weeks leading up to the big event to have your dream party in your dream home.

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