Choosing the Location for Your New Home

Location, location, location… it has been said so many times before and it is so very true. The most important thing to remember when purchasing your home is that location dictates how your money will be spent in the future years. Not only do insurance companies charge more if you are in a higher crime area but also your automobile insurance goes up. Anyway, why would you want to live in an area like that?

The location of your home should be in an area where you feel comfortable and safe. I would recommend spending a couple of hours talking with the planning and zoning commission to find out whether there is anything large planned for your area such as a Wal-Mart, apartment complex or a mega theater complex. This will bring your property values down.

Another aspect you want to consider is whether there are schools in the area if you have children. Will it be a safe and quick trip home for your children from school? Is there a park nearby for the children to play in or a youth center nearby?

Your neighbors are going to be your neighbors for many years. Take a day trip or two or three to the neighborhood at different times of day and on the weekends as well as during the week to take a sneak peak at what your neighbors are like. Are they loud? Do they have a dog that barks incessantly? Do they store old cars on the lawn or have a pink flamingo that you could not bear looking at for years at a time? Remember, these are your neighbors and you want to be able to live in a friendly atmosphere.

Many communities have covenants and restrictions for the neighborhood. If you have three large dogs and the covenants say you are allowed only two are you willing to part with a family pet? Covenants may also restrict the color of your house or restrict your choice of trees. Check the covenants before signing the dotted line.

All in all just remember this is your home that you will live in with pride. Ensure it is everything you want and that it is in the location you prefer. You will be here for a long time.