The Home Buying Process
Step 4 Of 6
Step 5: Find A Home
Where to live? Your choice will influence every aspect of your daily life for years to come. Take the time to choose wisely. Here are some ideas to think about as you begin your search.
Location, Location, Location
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Location Location Location |
1. Once you've determined how much you can afford to spend, concentrate your search in areas that have houses in your price range. You can find these areas by:
2. You can find out the demographics for a particular community, as well as information about housing and employment opportunities, by conducting an online search for websites hosted for local municipalities.
3. Take a test drive, starting from each of your top two neighborhoods to your place of work, during both morning and evening rush hour. How long does it take you? Are you willing to live with the time commitment? Are there alternative forms of transportation (bus, ferry, train) that you could use?
4. When you've chosen your favorite neighborhood, drive through at different times of the day and at night (especially late night if you're a light sleeper) to check out traffic and noise levels.
Listen for:
5. Think about this: what are your chances of staying in the job you have now, for the length of time you'll be living in the house? If changing work locations is a possibility, you won't want to pick a house just because it's near your current job.
Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmatic
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Reading, Riting, Rithmatic |
The quality of your children's education will determine the quality of their future. Call the local school district or consider doing research online. (Please note, not all school districts have websites.)
Here are some suggested questions to think about:
Shop Where Its Easy To Drop
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Shop Where It's Easy To Drop |
1. Look at the local Chamber of Commerce website to get a feeling for the type of community you'll be joining.
If the Chamber of Commerce doesn't have a website, look up the phone number in the Yellow Pages® and give them a phone call. They'll be happy to talk to you and mail any information you need.
2. Take a drive around the adjoining shopping areas and take notes on what you find. Will you have easy access to your:
The Long Arm of the Law
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The Long Arm Of The Law |
Be sure to find out the following information:
1. Tax rates for the area (you should be able to get this from your real estate agent).
2. Covenants
Many neighborhoods may have covenants you will be required to follow. Here are some examples:
Your real estate agent can provide this information to you.
3. Crime rates -- You want your family and your possessions to be safe, so be sure to check out the rate of personal and property crime in your area. Call the local police department and talk to the Public Information Officer.
4. Zoning -- What's the neighborhood zoning? Could you wake up one morning with an office building going up across the street? Ask your real estate agent or check with the local library for help in identifying any zoning issues.
5. Try to find out about natural hazards that may or may not be obvious. Is your neighborhood of choice:
To check out these hazards and more, you may want to pay for a risk report.
In Your Own Back Yard
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In Your Own Back Yard |
Make a list of all the things you want in a home. Be as specific as possible. It will save you time in your search for a new home.
Consider some of the following things:
1. Think about what you want on the outside of your home.
2. Think about what you want on the inside of your home.
Your real estate agent can help you find the perfect home once you determine what is important to you.
