Real Estate has always fascinated me. It never gets boring. No two properties are the same or of equal value. There are whole books written on how to purchase a home. I have read many of them and learned a great deal. But like anything in life, there is nothing better than actually stepping into the market place to learn. The smells, the look, the observations, the community stories (fiction and truth). Kicking the door frames, walking the floors, peaking in the addicts and closets, checking out the backyards, throwing a measuring tape on the floor to see the difference in the size of bedrooms, walking the neighborhood and taking notes as you talk with neighbors. You can't learn these things from a book.
Here are a few tips that can help you when making a decision about which home to buy.
1. Communities have a lot to do with the value of homes. The schools, access to groceries, parks, green space. Check the width of the streets as you drive down them. Notice where people park after work (on the street or in their garage/carports). Is it a safe community? Are the neighbors out and about in the evening or tucked in their homes with curtains drawn?
2. Be able to honestly appraise your skill sets. You have heard the term "shade tree Mechanics". There are also "garage carpenters": They purchase the right tools but don't really know how to skillfully use them. You may not want to buy a fixer-upper if you do not have the skill sets to fixer upper.
3. Count the cost! New homes are really great. I have owned three. Be sure the count the sometimes unseen cost of new home buying: Window treatments, rugs, flooring, ceiling fans, specialty furniture for unique nooks, porch furniture, front and back landscape, appliances. There are lots of things to purchase when you buy a new home and you need to make sure you have the extra cash to make those purchases.
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