In many ways a home is like a blank canvas waiting for you to fill it with color, beauty and life. That’s part of the reason it can be so exciting to buy a home. You + empty house = magic.

To really see the magic of a home you’re considering buying, you’ll have to be able to distinguish between what you can change and what you can’t. Unfortunately, many buyers get turned off by things that can be easily changed, like carpeting, wallpaper, paint color or old, scuffed floors. Don’t forget that you can always refinish or replace the floors, or take down the blinds you hate.

But it’s also important to be realistic about what you can’t change -- before you start shelling out monthly mortgage payments.

When buying a home, consider things like:

Location
That railroad track or interstate highway isn’t going anywhere. Neither is the airport flight path. Is the commute something you can live with? Have houses in the neighborhood been losing value while others in the city have increased in value? Do you feel safe and secure in the neighborhood?

Lot size
There’s not much you can change about the size of the lot, short of buying the lot next store (which isn’t practical for most home buyers). If the lot is small, will your children be content to stay there when they play? On the other hand, a large lot can be nice, but are you prepared for all the maintenance?

Proximity of neighbors
It can be annoying and even disconcerting to hear what’s going on in the house next door. A neighbor’s view into your bedroom isn’t too great, either. Can privacy ever be yours in that location?

Street traffic
Buying a house on a busy street can be more than annoying. It can be dangerous, especially if you have young children. Consider if you will have to back out of your driveway into traffic or keep your windows closed on nice days to block out the traffic noises and exhaust fumes?

Square footage
Keep in mind that the square footage of a house can be changed but building an addition can be complicated and expensive (and may not be in your budget). If a house feels too small before you buy it, imagine what it will feel like once it is full of your things.

Number and size of bedrooms
If remodeling is not an option, you’ll have to learn to live with the bedrooms as they are.

Closet space
Storage is a huge issue, and not just in the bedrooms. (Although all you clothes horses know who you are.) It is very difficult to create storage in a home that doesn’t have much storage space already built in.

If you do find a home you love but think you might want to renovate, it would be smart to have a trusted contractor and/or architect tour the home with you before you buy. They can tell you whether a “can’t change” can be turned into a “can change” for a price you can afford.