What makes a neighborhood a great place to buy? As a REALTOR®, I cannot stress enough the number one rule for home buying – location, location, location!  Though this is excellent advice, there are also several other important things to consider when choosing the right home for you in a great neighborhood. Because all homes eventually get sold, it is important to keep in mind these factors that will affect resale:

• Schools
• Short Work and Shopping Commutes
• Curb Appeal
• Number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms
• General Appearance of the Area
• Extra Amenities that Make this Neighborhood Stand Out
• How Fast Homes Are Selling in this Neighborhood
• Price that You Can Afford

Perhaps you do not have children, have no plans to have children, or your children are grown. If you think that good schools will not affect your property, guess again.  People will sacrifice almost anything to give their children the finest education, so when resale time comes it will be very important to be in a desirable school district.

Distance to work and shopping can make life convenient and pleasant, or add hours of stress, time, and gasoline costs to your day. Buying in an area with quick and easy access to businesses, shopping, entertainment, and schools will increase your enjoyment of your new home, and likely make your home more appealing when it is time to sell.

Always try to buy the home with the most curb appeal on the block. A charming facade will make you smile every time you pull into the driveway, and will be sure to attract home buyers at resale.

Once you are inside the home, be sure it has the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms for the area. Most people agree that a home needs at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to live comfortably.

The drive into your neighborhood should have a pleasing appearance of neatly kept homes. How well your neighbors maintain their homes will definitely affect the value of your home now, and in the future.

A great neighborhood will often offer extra amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, golf club, walking trails, and community parks. The universal appeal of these “extras” will make a home with great amenities more fun to own.

A good sign that your neighborhood is a great one is how quickly and consistently homes sell in your area. Check recent home sales before you buy. Even in an economic downturn, homes in a great neighborhood will sell if priced competitively.

After location, the most important factor to consider when making a home purchase is how comfortably you can afford the price. If every month is a struggle to make your house payment, you will never be able to truly enjoy your home, so never buy more house than you can afford. Job changes and temporary times of unemployment are sometimes a fact of life, so plan ahead to keep your mortgage payment reasonable enough to allow for savings for a rainy day.

Follow these guidelines to home buying, and you will find the right house for you in a great neighborhood!

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SHANNON HOLMES (205) 706-3975

 

109 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham, Alabama 35242

Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Contact Shannon Holmes for more information on Birmingham, Alabama real estate, and how to buy the right house for you in a great neighborhood.