While you are busy noticing the size of the bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, and the size of the yard, you may be missing some subtle but important features that will affect your long-term happiness in any potential dream home. Buyer’s Remorse can happen, but it can also be avoided! Here are several things you should look for in a new home. These items are second nature for our agents so if you need any help – don’t hesitate to reach out.
Lighting
Open Houses are typically in the afternoon, when there is the most light. You will want to take note of which direction the home faces. Not only for heating and gardening purposes, but for livability! An early riser might love to greet the sun coming in the bedroom window, but a night owl would be miserable. Consider your typical habits to ensure the sun is on your side, with windows to provide the right amount of lighting.
The Sun says “Good Morning!”
Tree Huggers Pay Attention
It is easy to be attracted to a home with big, beautiful trees on the property. Thoughts of a hammock in the shade may cross your mind. Not so fast, day dreamer! It’s worth looking to see if any of those trees are too close to the house, in decline or near power lines, they might need to be removed to prevent damage. It’s worth keeping in mind – the average cost for tree removal is $500-$1000 per tree, and often in the thousands for large trees. Removing the stump is extra! You can also look forward to the ongoing expense of maintenance to keep the trees healthy, and for the cleanup of leaves and fallen branches.
Neighbors and Community
Drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day and week to observe the activity and feel of the community. Talk to potential neighbors, and ask them questions about the neighborhood. Look for nearby homes that aren’t well kept as they may be ongoing eyesores and could even reflect badly on your property value. Nobody wants loud or nosey neighbors, but there’s more to the other families than the proximity between houses. Many neighborhoods have their own culture, complete with regular get togethers and family-focused activities. Make sure you are moving into a neighborhood that mirrors the level of community (or independence) you desire to significantly reduce future headaches!
The Backyard Barbeque is twice a month, next one is at your house!
The Best House On The Block
This house has everything! What’s the catch? It might be the best home on the block, which means you might be paying top dollar in a neighborhood with less expensive homes. It may be difficult to build equity, and you could end up under water when it’s time to sell. From a resale standpoint, it is better to buy the worst home in the best neighborhood than the best house in a lesser neighborhood, but staying in the middle of the pack is best.
The Only Constant Is Change
A quiet neighborhood turns into a busy through street when the Metro comes to the area. New roads, and construction projects can have an impact on the future lifestyle in your new home. Ask your Realtor and research the area for any planned future development that might bring increased traffic and noise. How Loud is a service that rates the current sound score of any location and your local Department of Transportation website lists ongoing and future roadwork projects.
Not to mention PokeStops and Gyms!
Safety
While we hope the unthinkable will not happen, picking an abode in a lower crime rate area is helpful in avoiding the possibilities. Neighborhood Scout gives detailed maps as well as an overall crime score to help narrow the options. A quick scan of the National Sex Offender registry will give you additional peace of mind.
With these added to the checklist, choosing a home that will provide long-term satisfaction will be a breeze! On a deadline or feeling overwhelmed? We navigate these and many more to find just the right house for our clients, and we’d be happy to help you on your hunt! Give us a call at (703) 824 – 4731 or email at ray@talktoray.com to set up a free consultation.
