How will you know when you see the house of your dreams? A common reply is always “I’ll know when I see it!”
However, if you logically analyze your needs ahead of time, you’ll be better equipped to make an educated decision when you have an emotional response to a house that you see. These questions will help you determine and prioritize which characteristics are most important to you in a home. Surely you have heard the common real-estate theory that there are three things to consider when buying a house: “Location, location, location!” But there are other important factors to consider when choosing a home, too. Answering the following questions will remind you how important location is in your decision:
Geography
- Will you be looking in town, semirural, or rural areas?
- Is the area sparsely populated, medium or high?
- Do you have a preference with regard to natural features like woods, hills, and lowland?
Surrounding Areas
- What are the characteristics of the surrounding areas for shopping?
- Is there a central commercial district?
- Are there any shopping malls?
- Are there any supermarket shopping centers?
- Are there any department stores and drug stores?
Neighborhood Focus
- What is the general appearance?
- Are the homes well maintained?
- What are the main types/styles of homes?
- Do the homes appear to be “newer” or “older”?
- How far apart are the houses?
- How well are the lawns maintained?
- Are there any visible property enhancements, such as fences, decks, patios, or extensive landscaping?
- Are vehicles primarily parked in garages and driveways, or are they parked in the street?
- Are there emergency personnel stations (fire & police) close by?
- How close is the nearest hospital?
- What are the local ordinances in regard to pets, parking, lawns, etc.?
Schools
- Are there both public and private schools?
- Are they equipped to handle special needs if required?
- Are they equipped to handle special needs if required?
- How do children primarily get to school?
- What is the teacher per student ratio?
- How well do students perform on standardized test scores?
- Are there after-school activities offered?
- What type of sports programs and clubs are offered?
- What is the percentage of children that graduate?
- What is the percentage of graduating students that go on to college?
Work
- How will you be commuting to work?
- How long will your commute be?
- Do you need to be near public transportation?
Recreation and Entertainment
- What forms of entertainment are offered?
- What types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities are available?
- Are there public parks, country clubs, and/or sports teams close by?
Community Involvement
- Is it a social area? Do they hold block parties or picnics?
- Is there a Home Owner’s Association? How active are they in the neighborhood?
- Is there PTA?
- Is there a Neighborhood Watch program in place?
Find out the answer to each of these questions, and then determine what items are important to you and which you can live without.
