Special offer

Think About Future Resale Value When Buying

By
Real Estate Agent with Steinborn & Associates Real Estate

When you buy your next home in Las Cruces you should put a lot of thought into it. Don't just think about your needs and desires, think about what's going to happen when you try to sell it in the future.

Here are 2 things to consider when thinking about your resale value.

Buying a Home With a View May Not be Worth the Price

Homes with a pleasant view of the horizon often sell at a premium above similar homes without the view. However, if a view is important to you, buy it mostly for your own pleasure and not as an investment. Though you may place a considerable dollar value on the view, future buyers may not be so like-minded. It may take you longer to find a buyer when it comes time to resell the house. Or you may end up dropping your price to more nearly match other sales prices in the neighborhood.

In short, if you are buying a house with a view, try to pay as little extra as possible. Otherwise, you might not get your money back.

Lot and Landscaping Matter

Even though most real estate value is usually concentrated in the building, the lot is important, too. Obviously, it should be as level as possible. Assuming the property is in a typical neighborhood, the lot should be rectangular - no odd shaped lots or oddly situated lots.
Yard sizes are smaller in modern homes than in older homes, but there should still be a decently sized front and back yard. Do not buy a house where the entire back yard is taken up by a swimming pool, for example.

Do not purchase an over-landscaped property, either. You would normally pay a premium for that, which you may not be able to recover when you sell. You will get your best value if the house is moderately landscaped or under-landscaped for the area. You can always improve the landscaping during your ownership by improving the grass and adding bushes and trees. Just do not spend too much.

Next week we'll take a look at a few other things that affect resale value. Is there anything in particular that you'd like us to look at? Leave a comment below. 

Dave Roberts
Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty - Healdsburg, CA

I often talk to my buyers about the increasing demand for single level homes. Even if they aren't in the market for a "no stairs" home, I encourage them to think about the large number of retiring boomers who are looking at aging hips and knees. I think talking about future resale is both practical and an excellent service for people who are probably consumed with the here and now.

Oct 03, 2011 10:07 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

These are good tips, no matter the region.   Thanks!

Oct 03, 2011 10:38 AM
Evelyn Bruder
Steinborn & Associates Real Estate - Las Cruces, NM
CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO

Thanks!

Oct 06, 2011 10:39 AM