Thursday 6 October 2011

5 Neighborhood Features You Shouldn't Ignore

By Julie Normandee


When it comes to the purchase of real estate, its location should be one of your main concerns. If you've been renting, you may not have given the location much thought because you could move out at the end of your lease. But when it comes to buying a dream home, your location becomes one of the main factors that determines your future happiness.

Once you settle into a home, the last thing you want to do is move again soon. Your focus is on getting comfortable with your new neighbors and the surrounding community. Buying a home with an ideal location also raises your resale value for bigger profits.

Every person has their own wish list of the ideal neighborhood to live in. Be sure you pick one that meets your particular needs. Let's go over the five features you need to be aware of:

1) Do You Feel Safe? - Living in a safe neighborhood offers peace of mind for you and your family. Unfortunately, there's a price to pay for this important feature. Rural areas offer less crime than large cities, but are you wiling to forego being close to major stores and activities?

2) Local Amenities - Time is a valuable commodity in todays busy world. Juggling work, going to the market, children's activities and school, daycare, dentist, entertainment, and time waiting for public transportation consume most of your day. If you decide to live in a community farther away, you'll be dedicating more time to traveling. It's important to put a great deal of thought into how much extra time you're willing to sacrifice towards traveling.

3) Appeal of the Community - Some of you will prefer uniform master planned communities while others prefer the historic charm where a variety of home styles are displayed. Neighborhood characteristics such as the landscape, trees, and surrounding restaurants should match your tastes.

4) School - Do you have kids? If you plan on sending them to public schools, this is an important feature to check out. If your kids will be going to private schools, you may not care about the quality of the public schools.

5) Are There Zoning Restrictions? - If you plan to remodel a home to suit your particular needs, be sure to check if the city has any zoning restrictions that might interfere with your plans. Some zoning regulations limit the changes you can make to a home. This ensures a uniform look throughout the neighborhood.




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