Ten Location Selecting Tips When Buying a House

1.   Look for a home location that has only residential properties around it.

A mix of industrial units and residential properties is not an ideal location for a home.

People usually want peace and quiet in a residential area.

Having industrial units like factories etc results in higher traffic, pollution and noise and home buyers would consider this a negative point.

2.   Look for a house that blends into the neighborhood. For instance, you don’t want to buy a monster size house that is surrounded by small houses around it.

Property value of one’s home will greatly be affected with other homes in their area. It costs money to maintain properties and you want to buy a home where people of somewhat the same economic standard live. 

3.   Many investors buy smaller homes and rent them out waiting for a price escalation to make a profit by selling the home.

Rental homes are quite often neglected by tenants. While the homes landlord continues to get his monthly rent the neighborhoods property values do suffer due to unmaintained lawns or shabby looking homes around them sticking out like a sore thumb to potential buyers. 

You want to stay away from areas that have too many renters.

4.   Having a milk store across the street is quite convenient, but may not be great when it comes to property values. Strip plazas invite shoppers as well as people who just hang around the stores. Not very desirable to many potential home buyers. It is better to walk a block for your milk than to buy a home right next to a store.

5.   You will be surprised as to how many home buyers fail to notice those huge overhead power cable lines going over the back yards of homes. Drive around to check what is actually around the potential home you are thinking of buying. Look for schools, stores, banks and major highways.

Typically living across schools, stores, parks or close to highways is not very desirable as noise, parking and security could be major concerns.

6.   Buying a home close to a hospital may be desirable to some, but keep in mind those ambulance sirens that will fill the air at odd hours of the day and night.  (Continued on next column)