Location, Location, Location -- 5 Ways To Know Where You Should Buy A Home

30 September 2016
 Categories: Real Estate, Blog

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If you're looking to buy your first home, you may often hear the refrain, "location, location, location". Obviously, finding the right location is a key for most experienced home buyers. But, as a newcomer, how can you know what is the right location? What should you look for? Here are the top 5 tips to finding the best location.

Neighborhood. A key rule of thumb for many home buyers is to buy the worst home in the best neighborhood. Why? Because you can fix up the home, but it's nearly impossible to fix up the neighborhood by yourself. Buying a home in a stable, safe, growing neighborhood -- even if it needs some repairs or modernization -- can give you a great return on your investment when you seek to sell.

Schools. Whether or not you are planning to have kids, it's still important to look at the schools in the area. This is because it is likely to be important to those who will be interested in buying your home when you later decide to sell it. As a first-time home buyer, your home will likely be the kind that is geared toward selling to young families, so don't underestimate the value of having good schools and kids' activities in the neighborhood.

Access. What type of access is considered "good" in your region may vary. In a city or suburban area, it's likely to mean convenient access to shopping, restaurants, and other popular activities. It may also mean having easy access to a freeway if you are buying in an area with a lot of commuters. In a more rural area, the term may mean access to lakes or other water spots. Find out what's important in the area, and look for easy access to it if you want a good resale value.

Noise. The noise factor is one item that may make for a bad location. Homes that are near airports or hospitals, university housing, or fire stations can be a turn-off for future buyers due to fear of nighttime noise. Be wary of homes on busy intersections, bordering highways or freeways, or right beside schools, too. If you're unsure of the noise levels in a certain neighborhood, talk to existing neighbors or visit the area during different parts of the day or week. 

Views. Having a view can be more or less important to people, but it's especially valuable if you buy a home in a smaller city or a rural area. Having the view you want can make up for having to make some changes in the home itself. However, keep in mind that the view can change if development is likely. So, if you do find a location with a view you love, you may want to consider purchasing the view itself. 

By knowing what defines a "good location" both for yourself and for your future home buyers, you can help ensure that you find the right home now and that you get your money's worth when you decide to sell it. For help finding your dream home, contact a real estate agent from a company like GREENVILLE METROPOLITAN.