Buying a New Home? 4 Tips for Helping You Choose the Right One
If you're in the market for a home for sale, you want to make the right decision. After all, you're going to be in that home for a long time. The last thing you want is to choose your dream home that ends up being your worst nightmare. Before you say yes to the purchase, take the time to check a few things out – beyond the basic home inspection. Here are four things you should do when shopping for a new home.
Test Everything
When you're shopping for a home, you're worried about size, location, and number of bedrooms. When you walk into a home for the first time, you're going to be looking for those items. You might not be paying attention to the hidden details. That's okay. Once you have your choices narrowed down to a couple of homes, schedule a more in-depth tour of each one. During this tour, test everything. Turn all the lights and faucets on. Flush all the toilets. If the stove is going to stay, turn the burners on. Bring a notepad so that you can take notes of your findings. Testing those small things are a perfect way of identifying potential problems.
Ask About Zoning
If you run a business out of your home, or you're planning on bringing a small farm animal to live with you, you'll need to know about the zoning laws. Don't wait until you've purchased your home to find out that farm animals are prohibited, or there are restrictions to the types of businesses you can run from your home. Know the zoning restrictions before you purchase your new home.
Check Things Out After Dark
Most home tours are conducted during the day. While that will give you the ability to see the home in the best light, it won't necessarily paint the entire picture. If you're interested in a home, take the time to check things out after dark. Drive through the neighborhood when everyone is home from work. This will help you identify potential neighborhood problems before you move in.
Contact Local Law Enforcement
Home buyers aren't going to be eager to tell you about the crime in their neighborhood. In fact, they might not even know about some of the crime that goes on under their noses. Before you choose a home to purchase, visit the local law enforcement office and ask them for a detailed crime report for the neighborhood you're interested in. Not only will they be able to give you a crime report for that area, they'll also be able to point you towards the safest neighborhoods. This is particularly beneficial if you're new to the area.
Buying a new home is a big task. You want to make the right decision. The tips provided here will help you avoid mistakes when choosing your new home.