DEAN GRAZIOSI: DEAN GRAZIOSI REAL ESTATE

The neighborhood is one of the most important aspects of buying a home. You’ve probably thought of this factor for in terms of safety, but have you considered the impact of the neighborhood on the actual resale value of your home?

When you are buying a home, location can be everything. The term “local neighborhood” will often be used. This encompasses not only the area where your new home is actually located, but also surrounding stores and other businesses. The neighborhood you choose will depend on your specific preferences. For example, if you do not want to live near a business district, you wouldn’t look at homes in or near shops, restaurants, or dry cleaners, ETC. If, on the other hand, you wish to be conveniently located near such businesses so you can access them easily, purchasing property in a residential area nearby would be a good idea.

Whether your new home is located in a secluded area with a lot of land or in a busier yet quiet neighborhood, it will have resale value. Those who come to look at your property when it comes time to sell will have an idea of the type of neighborhood in which they want to live. Like you, they will know their own particulars and research them accordingly.

Just as there are many features that can help resell a home, the environment of its location can influence future sales. If your home doesn’t have a pool, one in the neighborhood could be an important selling point to families who have children. Likewise, parks located in the immediate area can also help resell a home.

Neighborhoods with well-manicured lawns and houses that are kept up will speak volumes to potential home buyers. A gated community or one that requires its residents to make regular payments may also be of interest to prospects.

The presence of nearby public transportation may be important to some residents, especially those who are unable to drive or do not own a car. Here, quick access is necessary. Not all neighborhoods allow public bus systems to run regular routes, so finding this feature can sometimes be difficult.

The state of the neighborhood is also an important factor to consider when buying a home. If the nearby shopping center you appreciate because of its convenience is in decline, chances are you may have trouble selling your home in the future. The same goes for any other businesses in the area. Another factor to consider is the number of businesses who are closing up shop. Several abandoned buildings may indicate trouble on the horizon. This is especially true if they have been abandoned for a significantly long period of time.

Before buying a home, choose your neighborhood carefully. This will serve you well both for the duration of your stay, and when you decide to sell. A good neighborhood can be just as important as the home itself and can definitely influence the future of your investment.

Bookmark With

If you have recently decided to sell your home, you are faced with not only preparing it for winter but also preparing it to be viewed by potential buyers during the winter. Selling in the winter is much different than selling in the warmer months. There are some important factors to consider when selling your home in the winter.

The first thing you need to do when listing your home in the winter is make it accessible for potential buyers and their agents. This includes removing any snow from around the property and most importantly on the walkways. If you have already moved out of your home, you should take the proper steps necessary to ensure that your walkways are clear and free of any ice. Leaving your walkways covered with snow sets an unwelcome town and tends to make the property look unappealing to potential buyers. Buyers who pull up to an unshoveled home may see it as sad and abandoned and they may also think that because the property is not being cared for they can offer a lower price. Not clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways also makes them appear to be smaller than they actually are. Taking the time to properly clear all of the walkways and driveways will shoe buyers the full extent of the parking space.

The process of clearing snow may seem tedious and unnecessary to many sellers, but doing so will offer buyers the chance to see all of the extra details that may miss due to the snow. If you have installed an intricate paver design in the driveway take the time to clear it off completely. Do you have an extended deck or patio in the back, take the time to clear all of that as well. Staging the exterior of your home is just as important in the winter as it is any other time of the year. Take the time to show off any special landscaping or extras that can be found on your property. Doing this can make the difference between selling your home and having it sit the entire winter. If your property includes a pool, but it is covered for the winter, be sure to provide your realtor with pictures of it in warmer months. This will help show prospective buyers what they are buying.

Do not be discouraged if you decide to list your home in the winter, plenty of buyers will take the time to view properties in the winter if it something they are interested in. In most cases buyers in the winter tend to be more motivated than those looking during warmer months. Instead of seeing snow as a problem, you can use it to help increase the appeal of your home. You should also make the inside of your home as bright and appealing as possible, this will help detract from the dreary weather that may be taking place outside.

Bookmark With