It’s all about location, location, location, right? The same goes for the location of your home and what goes into making it the most ideal nest for you and your family to settle down.
The preference sheet for homebuyers is different for everyone, as to which neighborhood their forever home will be located in, its proximity to what is most important to them, and what will affect their home’s value.
Here are a handful of those factors to consider – and questions to ask and answer – for anyone on the hunt for a house:
The Neighborhood is in the Details
Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, meaning what appeals to a variety of homeowners, there are some overarching factors about a neighborhood that apply to one and all, such as its overall physical aesthetics (quality of landscaping or tree-lined streets) and accessibility to the places and amenities that mean most to you, like community spaces (public parks or playgrounds). Find out what school district the home is located in and research the duration the homes in this neighborhood stay in the market, which shows the neighborhood’s popularity. You may also want to look online into the potential for growth and development in this location for the fastest-growing areas and market trends on home sales and projections. If possible, drive around the area to see it for yourself. These amenities will make your life convenient and boost the value of your property to a large extent.
Lifestyle & Long-Term
Your ideal lot location depends on what will cater best to your lifestyle. If you’re single, you may prefer the bustling part of town in the heart of the action. If you have a family, a quiet area away from busy highways is best. It’s also important to think long-term in resale value terms: a lot close to busy roads will be listed at a much lower price, but could be challenging to sell down the road. If you’re on the hunt for a waterfront lot, the resale value is incredible, but the purchase price will be costly. Consider long-term, too, what’s best for you. For instance, do you want to sacrifice home aesthetics for a huge backyard for the kids, and budget in the money to renovate?
Fit Your Budget
No matter what neighborhood you want to live in, you always need to consider what you can comfortably afford within your budget, so you’re not “house poor.”
Crime Rates
Do the research and find out how safe your desired neighborhood is. Search online for crime in the local news or ask around. Find out where the nearest police stations are, and whether or not a neighborhood watch is in place in the area.
How Long Will it Take to Get to Work?
With the cost of gas nowadays, a significant factor for your ideal home location would be the daily commute you would have to and from your workplace.
Proximity to Family & Friends
Having a family support system nearby is imperative – especially if you have children and rely on grandparents for babysitting “services.” You may also just love having them around you for Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings. Along with that, do you know friends who live in the same neighborhood whose children are mutual friends of yours? This is also a great benefit to reducing their stress from moving into a new neighborhood.
Proximity to Convenience, Routines & Traditions
The nearby comforts and conveniences of home may also make the decision on where to live a little easier, such as the proximity to your church, synagogue, or mosque; your family doctor, pharmacy, or quality healthcare facilities; and friendly, high-rated markets or grocery stores.
Stay Social
Lastly, if you like to go out and about, a nice extra is to know what social amenities are close by, like bars and restaurants, clubs, attractions, entertainment or sports venues, shopping, and more.
Location means so much in homeownership. It’s what determines your property’s value and your happiness. For more information, or if you’d like to sit down and discuss your options to buy a home or rent, please call one of us at the Sands Realty Group at (843) 839-4878.
