Home Buyers Real Estate Journal

Beyond the house itself, what should I look for in the property?

Once you've found the right home, take a good look at the land it's built on before you buy. Check for:

• Easements
  Whose are they and where are they located? Will you be able to build a garage, shed, fence or other improvements while avoiding the easement areas?
• Flood plain
  Is part of the lot marked for flooding areas? How often and for how long is the area under water? Has the house ever been flooded or threatened by high water?
• Boundaries
  Where are the true lot lines? Is the fence properly placed within the lot? Will there be room to build a deck or addition to the house later on?
• Utility cables
  Where are they located? Will it be possible to add phone lines or upgrade electrical capacity later?
• Hydrant
  How close is the nearest fire hydrant? This, and the proximity of the fire station, are often important when purchasing homeowner's insurance.

You may have to do a little research to answer some of these questions, and may want to make any contract contingent upon your being satisfied with the results.

What advice would you give to help me decide between my two favorite houses?

If you're looking to buy a home in Southern California, you can make such a tough decision easier by going back to your starting point. Ask yourself these questions:

• Review your priorities
  Do both properties meet your stated housing needs?
• Seek new information
  What else should you know about the house, the neighborhood, local schools, transportation, and community facilities?
• Get out the crystal ball
  How long do you expect to stay in your next home, and how will each house fit your expected needs and lifestyle over that time period?
• Compare the added features for each home
  Are there benefits that outweigh any shortfalls in your priority list?
• Keep resale in mind
  If you intend to move in five or 10 years, which home will probably be easier to resell?
• Analyze the costs of both homes
  How does the price of each compare, and how do the long-term costs such as heat, local taxes and fees, transportation and other day-to-day living expenses stack up?

Is there more you would like to know about that final home-buying decision? Contact me!

Is it better to buy in a new home area or a resale community?

New or previously owned? Once you've started to look for your next home, you need to decide whether to look at homes under construction, or for resales in established neighborhoods. Here are some pros and cons for each type of house.

Newly-Constructed Homes

• Pluses are:
  You choose the colors and finishes for floors, bath tiles, appliances, kitchen counters and cabinets. You can opt to upgrade and select builder options, and often can choose your lot. Everything is clean and new when you move in.
• Minuses are:
  You may not see the home you are buying until the final walk-through, and may find a number of items that need to be fixed by the builder's maintenance crew. Often, new-home buyers have to deal with construction traffic, debris, mud, dust and unfinished roads.

Existing Resale Homes

• Pluses are:
  You can see the home you are buying, and many personal touches like drapes and curtains will likely have been added. You can also tell what the neighborhood will be like by driving through during the day, and how rush hour will be by passing through in the evening.
• Minuses are:
  The seller's tastes may not be yours, and you may need to do some redecorating to tailor the home to your color scheme. Also, the appliances may be several years old if they haven't recently been replaced for the sale.

Learn more about buying a home on Southern California Homes Online.