Home Buyer's Guide:
Finding Your Home
There are many
factors to consider when selecting a home that's right for you. Below are just a
few of the many factors--you may think of others that are important to you.
NEIGHBORHOOD
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Neighborhoods have characteristic personalities designed to best suit single
people, growing families, two-career couples or retirees. It is important that
you scout the neighborhood in person. You live in more than your house.
-
Talk to people
who live there.
-
Drive through
the entire area at different times of the day, during the week and on
weekends.
-
Look carefully
at how well other homes in the area are being maintained; are they painted,
are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition, etc.
-
Look for
things like access to major thoroughfares, highways and shopping.
-
Listen for
noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
-
Smell the air
for adjacent commerce or agriculture.
-
Check with
local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information on the
area.
-
Research
things like soil and water.
-
Look at
traffic patterns around the area during different times of the day and drive
from the area to work.
-
Find out if
the neighborhood is near parks, churches, recreation centers, shopping,
theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.
-
Find out if
the neighborhood belongs to a Homeowner's Association.
-
Find out what
types of assessment taxes are associated with the neighborhood.
HOUSE
CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER
Essential items to consider before viewing potential homes:
-
Price
-
Proximity to
neighbors
-
Safe area
-
Near public
transportation
-
Quiet street
-
Number of
bedrooms
-
Utility costs
-
Maintenance
-
Space for
children/Space for entertaining
-
Lot
size/Fenced/Garden space
-
Privacy
-
Attached
garage
-
Interior and
exterior space for hobbies
-
Location for
washer and dryer
-
Fireplace
-
Resale value
Contact us
|
|
