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FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE (by Kinan Beck)
When you set out to buy your first house, you certainly want to buy a piece of real estate you can
consider to be "home" and not just an investment. At the same time, the best real estate purchase is
one that can fill both of these roles. Therefore, when you begin the search for your home, there are
a few things you should keep in mind in order to make the best purchase possible. These include:
- Location
- House Size and
- Lot Specifications
By carefully considering these three areas, you will be more likely be happy with your real estate
purchase for years to come.
Considering the Location
Everyone has heard that the location is the most important aspect of real estate - and for good reason.
After all, if the real estate you buy is in a poor location, you are not likely to be happy living
there and you will have a difficult time selling the property later.
When considering a piece of real estate, you will want to look into the area's crime statistics. Just
looking up the numbers for the area is not enough, however, as this does not paint a clear picture of
the specific neighborhood you are considering. Find out as much as you can about your neighbors before
moving in, as living next door to the wrong people can make your life miserable and can significantly
decrease your property value.
You can learn more about your neighbors by driving through the neighborhood at night on a couple of
different occasions. You can also ask your local police station to provide you with a list of the
calls they received within one mile radius of the home over the past two years. This list will tell you
when the calls where made, where the police was dispatched and why they were called in the first place.
Considering the Size of the Home
The size of the home you are looking to buy is also an important consideration. Obviously, the houses
in the neighborhood will vary somewhat is size, but most should be pretty similar. When it comes to
resell value, you don't want to buy the largest home in the neighborhood. Because, if the homes around
the one you are looking to buy are smaller than yours your home most likely will not appreciate in
value as quickly. At the same time, purchasing a home that is smaller than the other properties in the
neighborhood will help increase its value faster. Of course, you need to purchase a home large enough
for you and your family. Therefore, when making your decision, you will have to weigh your needs against
the potential resale value of the home.
Considering the Lot
Although most of the value of your real estate purchase will be tied up in the actual home, you
certainly want to consider the lot as well. Don't worry too much if the lot does not have a great deal
of landscaping done to it. You can add your own landscaping later, which will give the value of the
home a nice boost. More importantly, you want to select a lot that is not overly crowded, oddly shaped
or situated in a strange position. All of these factors can make it more difficult for you to sell the
home later.
When you buy a house, you definitely want to get a place you can call "home". At the same time, you
want to shop smart and purchase a piece of real estate that will increase in value and serve as a wise
investment.
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