6 Things to Learn Before Buying a House
Buying a house can be a nerve-wracking process. No one wants to be stuck with a large loan and a house that is not what was envisioned.
Most buyers concentrate on the house or yard and make sure everything is up to par. While this is a much-needed step a potential homeowner must also consider the neighborhood that they are moving into.
Below are six areas home buyers need to learn more about before buying a house.
The Atmosphere
While the neighborhood is calm and quiet at ten in the morning, it may be another story altogether at night. In the morning people may be taking walks or leaving for work. The afternoons may be quiet with everyone gone. The evenings could be crazy with everyone coming home from work depending on if the house is on the main drag. There could be loud neighbors that party all night and sleep all day. The only way to find out is to drive around the neighborhood at these times and see what the general atmosphere is.
Stopping by the property and neighborhood at night can provide insight as to whether or not it is a good place to settle down in. Stop at different hours of the day to get a better picture of how the neighborhood functions.
Get To Know the Neighbors
This one may make a few neighbors raise their eyebrows if they are not sociable. A great way to learn about the neighborhood is to ask the neighbors. While you do not need to go as far as knocking on everyone’s door and quizzing them on how they enjoy their home and the neighborhood, you can simply take a walk around or visit a local shop if there is one.
Snag anyone that seems friendly and willing to talk. Ask them questions about what the neighborhood is like and what they like to do. Not only will it help make connections with the neighbors, it will also help someone determine if it is the type of neighborhood that fits their needs.
Zoning Laws
Research zoning laws before buying a house. Nothing is more frustrating than imagining a house a certain way, then being told that the renovation or addition is against the zoning laws.
Learning the zoning laws before buying a house can save someone from this headache. Pay attention to the zoning of the rest of the neighborhood as well.
If there are many areas that are zoned for commercial use, the quiet neighborhood may turn into a booming business district. While some people love being in the middle of the action others prefer to have a quiet neighborhood to go home to. Look for a neighborhood that is going to match the needs of the family.
More Than the Neighbors
A neighborhood consists of more than just neighbors. Look at what businesses are in the area. See how far away the police and fire station are.
Contacting these departments can help someone know how quickly emergencies are responded to and have general questions answered about the safety of the neighborhood.
Use the Internet
Even though it is great to get to know the neighbors in person, not everyone likes to chat while walking their dog. Social media may be a better resource for learning about the neighborhood.
There may be a group dedicated to the neighborhood on a social media site. Through this group, questions can be answered about the common problems that are in the neighborhood and what type of people the neighbors will be.
Neighbor’s Houses
When looking around the neighborhood pay attention to what the houses in the area look like. Take notes on whether or not the roof and siding are well attended to or the yards are trimmed and maintenance or unruly.
While it does not directly affect a homeowner, it can affect the value of the house if other homes are not being maintained like they should be.
A potential homeowner should do their homework before buying a house. Once the perfect house is found, it is time to learn about the neighborhood. Meeting the neighbors and learning what businesses are in the area can help someone learn more about where they may be living. It is always better to learn that a neighborhood is not the right fit before moving into a new house.