Location. Location. Location. Where Should I Buy?

If you are about to embark on a search for a new home, one of the most important questions to ask yourself is not just “what” you want in a home, but where you want that home to be. Your Realtor® will need to know where to look as well as what to look for.

It might be a specific region, community, or an area of town, but you probably know what you want in a neighborhood and what you want to see when you look out of your windows. You have heard professionals in real estate talk about the importance of “location, location, location”, well it actually rings true with many home buyers even if they don’t think about it at first.

So along with creating a list of must have and wants in a home, think about what you want in a neighborhood or community. Here are a few things to consider:

• Is the neighborhood “walkable?”
• Is the property within walking distance of a library?
• How close is it to grocers, malls, gas stations, etc.?
• How much space do you have around the property?
• How is the school system in the area?
• What is the community like? are there attractions, fairs, or parks that appeal?
• What is the level of reported crime?
• Is the neighborhood near train tracks or an airport? Is noise/quiet important?
• What is traffic like and will it impact your day-to day commute?
• How close are your neighbors?
• Are there children in the neighborhood and is this important to you?

Once you have chosen a community (or several) where you might consider buying a home and you begin to view homes with your Realtor®, it is often wise check out potential properties during different times of day.  In other words, if you find a home you like, drive by it in the morning, afternoon, and at night.  See what the neighborhood is like on weekends as opposed to weekdays.  Sometimes the noise, traffic and activity levels can change and it is wise to know this before you decide to buy.

Every first time buyer should remember that the surroundings of a home are important to whether a property is a good match for your needs.  The perfect home is one that meets your requirements, appeals to your “would be nice to have” list of amenities, and is located in a place that makes you feel at home.

image courtesy of Mukumbura