My Top 14 Tips for Deciding Home Location

The following are things to consider when purchasing a home. Be knowledgeable of most desired attributes and wants, but mostly needs (non-negotiables). What are your NEEDS as a family, married couple or single? 

!) Choose a home that faces either north or south. Homes generally have the most windows on the front and rear of the home. You will want the hot, west sun to hit the home on the side with the least amount of windows. Or, on the neighbor's two story, so that it blocks the west heat to your one story. In particular, you will not want the west sun to beam down on your back yard after you come home from work to relax. Or to bake the front of your home. 

2) Do not choose the home across from the mailboxes or at the "T" entry. It may seem convenient to get your mail easily; however, you will become alarmed when you cannot exit your driveway because of all the cars stopped to check the daily mail. You will not want the constant headlights shining into your home if you choose the home or lot at the entry "T." A mindful Developer/Builder will have already adjusted lot layouts so that headlights at a "T" will shine between the houses, and not into your front glass door, dining room, or front bedroom. 

3) A big NO to four-way stops! Attempting to leave or return to your home on a daily basis will be delayed by four-way stops. In an emergency or evacuation, who's getting through quickly? No one. 

4) Proximity to work. Close to major thoroughfares? Or do you work from home? More flexibility when working from home. But that could change. 

5) Proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, dry cleaners, car repair; etc. Or you going to order food delivery every time you're out of groceries when the grocery store is 15 miles away? Expensive! 

6) Drive by the potential home on a Saturday night and check out the area. Are there street parties on every block? Extra noise from traffic or commercial nearby? Ask potential neighbors if they get good internet and phone reception. 

7) Google crime statistics in that zip code. 

8) Note location of nearest hospital and emergency clinics. You need to know this. Please don't wait until an emergency to discover how far away medical help is. 

9) Note location of nearest police and fire stations. 

10) It's great to live on acreage and near fresh streams of water. You will need to inquire if the stream of water has ever flooded over the banks and your agent should have already checked and presented the flood map to you. Additionally, keep in mind that wildlife will visit and travel along side of the stream. As in coyotes, owls, hawks, falcons...anything which could be a predator to your beloved dogs and cats. You will need to provide additional protection and observance over your pets when outside. It happens swiftly. 

11) Having stucco walls makes your home quieter than brick. Double-paned windows provide quiet and energy efficiency. There's a kid with a hot rod or loud motorcycle on almost every block. It's great to have a quiet sanctuary. 

12) Try to find a home with NO backyard neighbors. Imagine experiencing the privacy you yearn for! A two-story on the back side of a one-story is a no-no. 

13) I urge you to obtain more inspections than just the general home inspection, WDI (wood destroying insects) and pool inspections. If a new build, it's critical to obtain a three phase inspection and NOT to rely on the builder's inspectors. If your potential new home has a well and septic tank, get those inspected. Be sure and get separate Mold, Plumbing, and Electrical inspections. It's amazing what can be discovered with these additional inspections. Items such as grease balls, blocked grease traps, and underground tree branches breeching plumbing. The importance of a Mold inspection is to protect your health in the event that even a slight water event caused mold and if it was simply painted over without the proper remediation. Request Electrical and Structural inspections as needed. 

14. Lastly, it's best to be as informed as possible for the largest purchase one makes in a lifetime. Here for YOU, have your back! Someone else can buy these homes, but not YOU! Because YOUR REALTOR (ME!) told you in advance to avoid these pitfalls. There are no perfect homes; however, some are more perfect than others. Even new builds aren't perfect. Let's make certain you get the best available for the price range you're qualified for. It's important to decide what is best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY, whether a Family with Children, Marrieds or Single. I will help YOU! My great pleasure TO SERVE YOU!!