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Location - Consider It Before You Purchase A Home

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executives

House on Fairfax County Parkway


We've all seen homes listed for sale that stay on the market for what seems to be an eternity. Although it is not the only reason, there is no question that location is the primary cause in many instances.

For example, I took the photo at the right from my car sitting on the shoulder of a major four lane highway. It is relatively new, huge and in lovely condition. It also comes with

  • Constant traffic noise
  • Diesel and gas fumes
  • No place to ride a "trike"

House on busy street



The photo at the left was taken sitting at a traffic light on a 4 lane parkway overpass. The home was designed to fit on a narrow pie shaped lot alongside the entry ramp to the parkway. As you can see, it is also a fairly new home - it was built after the ramp to the parkway was built. It took an inordinate amount of time to sell when it was built and I believe it will if the owner decides to resell it.



Some Of The Other Location Factors That Could Affect Resale


  • High tension lines
  • Railroad tracks
  • Proximity to stores or shopping center
  • STOP sign on a busy street
  • Corner lot at a traffic light
  • High school athletic field
These and other reasons may not be of concern to you now but you need to consider how they may affect you when you decide to sell. They could impact
  • Price
  • Time to sell
  • Terms of sale

You need REALTORS® that can discuss location items to consider. My Team has 34 years experience in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket Prince William County

”Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS”
If you plan to buy or sell a Lake Ridge, Woodbridge or other Prince William County home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

 

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Prince William County

 

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Comments(67)

Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Brad  There is no question about that

Oct 09, 2010 11:40 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I've had listings close to railroad tracks, high tension wires, traffic - and it's a real bugaboo.  But proper pricing seems to make the medicine go down!

Oct 09, 2010 11:59 AM
Laura Barron
www.RealFamilyRealEstate.com - McKinney, TX
D + B Real Estate - Collin County Texas & Beyond

Great post!  You can have a beautiful home that is well maintained but if it is in a bad location you won't get market value of a home similar in a better location. 

Oct 09, 2010 12:38 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Good point. I priced a listing the other day and watched every conceivable "location" and lot obstacle/ challenge impact dollar by dollar bill  the net proceeds to the seller.

Oct 09, 2010 01:20 PM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Thanks for the post today.

Oct 09, 2010 02:03 PM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Karen, 

So very true.  I suggest in this current market, buyers should AVOID all of those locational items you are talking about.  When it's a buyers market, there is no reason to buy a home with those issues.  

One of my main responsibilities as a buyer's agent is to help them sort out the best homes for future resale!!!!

All the best, Michelle

Oct 09, 2010 02:22 PM
Rosalinda Morgan
Brookville, NY
"The Rose Lady"

It's always location, location, location.  Some agents think the right price will cure bad location but when it's time to sell, it is harder to sell homes on a bad location.   

Oct 09, 2010 03:09 PM
Doug Reynolds
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - Sacramento, CA
Realtor - Sacramento, CA

Great post!

Oct 09, 2010 03:25 PM
Pam Dent
Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA
REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

It always amazes me when I drive down the internet and see big expensive homes with views of the highway.  If I was going to spend that much on a home, I would want one that was more private.

Oct 09, 2010 03:38 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Hello Karen, I always go over these issues with my clients when looking at homes...they usually see the value in not limiting their market when it comes time to sell...then again some don't listen and you know what happens.

Oct 09, 2010 03:41 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Karen, I have seen the exact same situation here in Austin where a builder will take the last corner,sliver,in-fill piece of property in a great neighborhood and overbuild it thinking the "AREA" is great but even so the location was awful. Great post!

Oct 09, 2010 04:02 PM
Noreen Fennell
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Tuxedo, NY
Professional Service, Serious Results

Karen--great post.  I certainly agree that location is paramount and pricing is key.  As Margaret said before me "Proper pricing seems to make the medicine go down"  when there are some issues with location, however with the amount of inventory available in this market, there are so many options, that buyers will continue to search for both a workable location and a appealing price--and chances are they will find it.

Oct 09, 2010 06:07 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Karen over the years I have found that most people make location mistakes more than anything else. They don' realize certain neighborhoods carry more cache or that one area of town is better than another. This is what a good buyer's agent is for!

Oct 10, 2010 12:53 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Margaret  It's usually a big hit

Laura  Very true

Cheryl  It does happen

Patricia - you are welcome

Michelle  My sentiments exactly

Rosalinda  I agree

Doug  Thank you

Pam  They are all over the place

Nick  You can only try - it's their money

Russell  Builders aren't the only ones, but they are guilty

Noreen  You are right - in this market they bypass poor location

Bill  You know that is my sentiment exactly

Oct 10, 2010 02:16 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Karen, what are the three most important words in real estate? Your post is right on. Congratulations on the feature.

Oct 10, 2010 03:17 AM
Doyle Beekman
The Beekman Group-Keller Williams, Austin - Cedar Park, TX
CPA Broker CLHMS ABR CRS CNE

Great post....very good points.

Oct 10, 2010 04:08 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Most excellent quick intro post to a very good subject matter. There is lots to consider and not everything that shines is gold either.....thank you......karen...well done

Oct 10, 2010 05:26 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Michael  They will never change

Oct 10, 2010 06:34 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Doyle  Thank you

Oct 10, 2010 06:35 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Richie  There is a lot of fool's gold in real estae

Oct 10, 2010 06:36 AM