Finding the perfect home is not an easy task. But when you do find one that’s available, in decent condition and it fits all of the needs and desires that are on your list, it’s time for a celebration!
But let’s slow down a tad her. Many people get so caught up in find the perfect home that they forget to check a few other factors.When searching for a home, you need to look beyond the home. A big part of where you will be living is the location of the home. And many buyers don’t do enough research on the area around the home.
Is it in a good area? You don’t want the nicest home on the block. When you fix it up even more, it will be a white elephant when it’s time to sell.
If children are, or will be, part of the future, what is the school system like? Are there nearby parks? What about summer recreation camps? Is shopping nearby? Are the other, similar aged children in the neighborhood? Is school busing supplied or will the children walk? If they walk, how far and are there crossing guards? Is there a major construction project planned behind your back yard?
I always tell people to check demographics in a neighborhood. If you make $100,000 per year, do you want to live in a neighborhood where the average income is $250,000 ? Or $40,000?
These and many more questions should be part of the equation. But how do you find answers?
Maybe you should try visiting the neighborhood on a weekend morning. Walk around, maybe talk to some neighbors. They will probably know the answers to many of the questions. Go to the town hall and ask someone in the zoning or engineering department. They will know about planned construction projects.
Go to the neighborhood early on a weekday. Then go to work and find out what the commute will be like.
Find out this info for yourself. I hate to say this but you cannot rely on info from your Realtor for these things. Unless we live in the neighborhood, we simply have no way of knowing.
Do your due diligence. Remember, you not only purchasing a home, but an neighborhood to live in.
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