5 Mistakes You CAN Avoid When Choosing a Neighborhood!

Most people tell you what to look for when choosing where you want to live. But what are common errors people make that can be avoided? The big ones are:

1. Think short term.

2. Assume (and we all know what that does).

3. Ignore the Commute (With these gas prices, I am shocked to even bring that up!)

4. Forget they will have Neighbors.

5. Ignore culture and community.

Now these 5 things might seem like common sense, but they are much more of an issue than you would ASSUME. See what I did there?

So here is what you should know about each one.

1. DON'T: Think Short Term. When buying a house, people should ALWAYS think long term. How long are we going to be here? How long can I rent this out for? What is the local city doing over the next 10 years to improve the area? Will the house likely last that long (if it's in shambles when you buy it).

2. DON'T: Assume information given to you is true. VERIFY it. Check to make sure schools are listed, taxes are correct, there aren't any HOA's or Leins on the property. There are tools to do this like public records. Try to use them or call a pro.

3. DON'T: Ignore the Commute. Commute can add to bills. It can make you grumpy. It can make you tired. It can be dangerous. Make sure you are looking at something that is reasonable to you. Truckers and parents have very different views on a reasonable commute.

4. DON'T: Forget About The Neighbors. They are going to be an important part of your life, so make sure you figure out who they are and talk to them, ask them questions. What do they LIKE about the neighborhood, what DON'T they like about the neighborhood? They can be a great source of income!

5. DON'T: Ignore culture and community. This can be a key to a lot of things, like safety. Make sure that YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE where you will be living. Take a stroll and see how it feels. Can you envision whats around you every day? Culture can be a major factor. Some people like bland, some people like spicy, so find a neighborhood that fits your adventurous needs.

Basically, check your facts and make sure you feel comfortable. Get to know the area, get to know the people and feel. This is more important than some people realize.

 

 

 

Ben Blonder

Owner/Managing Broker, Kapital Real Estate LLC

Office: 970-797-2190

Cell: 970-420-6166

ben_blonder@yahoo.com