Choosing the right home and neighborhood
First the neighborhood:
- Use a professional who knows your market and the areas you should consider.
- Choose a neighborhood you like. If you like it, then like minded people will also.
- Buy with a five year and more plan in mind.
- Don't buy the highest priced home, buy at the bottom of the price range.
- Consider reputation; attempt to speak to a resident about the street
- Look for signs of trouble; like too many cars, dogs, kids with no supervision
- When you have found a home or area you like, go back at odd hours, things may be different
- Consider the amenities for you to enjoy and for resale down the road.
- Parks, trees, tot lots, walking trails, and picnic sites are all indicators of value
- Consider traffic noise, a busy street may be an annoyance.
- Notice access, you want it easy to get to school, work and fun
- Stay within a residential area, not too close to business centers
- Choose good schools, even if you no longer have students at home
- Look for pride in ownership in the homes
- If there a Home Owners Association; consider costs and rules
- In planned communities; check parking and access via gates
- Check the tax rate, some are so high it will change your buying power
- Check crime rate, look for low crime. Murrieta and Temecula boast low crime!
- Look for area growth, home builders and major store growth are good to watch
- Look for things to do within an reasonable distance; sports parks, pools, theater
On the home itself:
- Look at style; will it stand the test of time
- Look at maintenance, will it need paint often
- Look at the landscape; do you like to mow or not
- Are the doors secure; glass is beautiful, but is it secure?
- Windows bring in the light but they need cleaning, how is access
- Floor plans affect how you live, imagine yourself actually living in the home
- Is the garage big enough
- Is the yard big enough or too big
- Does it have the equipment you want or can it be added
- How old are the appliances and house systems
- Look for neglect, have the filters been changed, any drips under the sink
- Walk around the foundation, look for water and cracks
- Look up at the eaves, how's drainage?
- Stand still and listen, what do you hear?
- Does the patio door open smoothly, if not why? Old or not level?
- Ask your self what would you change, and do I have to change it to be content
- When you finally choose get an inspection, even if the home is "as is".
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