Saturday, 1 October 2011

Foreclosure Listings Home Buying Tips

By Fiona Clarkson


Home buying is a huge deal, but it doesn't have to be hard.

People purchase houses for many different reasons. Most purchase for the main purpose of living the American Dream, other people use the home buying market as an investment tool, and some even use the margins inherent in real estate transactions as their daily income. Many homes are sold each year as foreclosure listings. These can be purchased for a significant discount over market value.

There are many factors one needs to think about when buying a house, whether or not to live in or as an investment opportunity through a foreclosure listings directory.

First and most important is do the research. Know what you are purchasing.

One of the most important factors to research when purchasing a home is location. City, State, and, even neighborhood should all be considered carefully.

We've heard it said again and again. "Location, Location, Location"

So why is location so essential? Well, unless you plan to live in the home forever, ultimately, you or your estate will want to sell it. You would like the home to appreciate in value. You also wish to be able to sell easily. What you don't want is a house for sale sign sitting in your front yard for years.

It does not matter how wonderful your property is, you'll have a really hard time trying to sell your home for top dollar in a bad neighborhood in a reasonable amount of time. This doesn't necessarily indicate that it is a terrible home. It simply means that there will be less demand. That's not what you want when you decide or have to sell your house.

One needs to apply a neighborhood litmus test when purchasing a home. Things to consider consist of schools, nearby growth and development, and convenience. Local governmental agencies often list a school district's rankings. This info can also be found on the internet. If all else fails, actual estate agents have access to this info and may be really helpful. The value of your home will appreciate much more if it is located in a neighborhood with great schools.

New construction nearby also plays an excellent role in enhancing the value of a house and should definitely be considered when purchasing a house. A neighborhood which is on the outskirts of a new development will benefit from the higher costs of the newly constructed homes. If, however, the neighborhood shows signs of decline, one should think twice prior to buying that house.

One other item to think about when looking for a house for sale is it is proximity to places of convenience such as shopping centers, transportation hubs, and parks. Remember, somebody else will be home buying from you in the future. It will happen. And... They will be looking at the same factors during that time.




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