What to Look for Before or After You Buy a Home

Homes sell so fast these days that there might be things you wind up looking for after you buy the home instead of before. No matter how the timing of the transaction goes, make sure you look into each of these situations at least a little bit to know where you stand.

Local Schools

If you’re a parent, then knowing what school zones you are in is going to matter a great deal in regards to buying a home. However, even if you’re not a parent, it might still matter a lot. Good schools tend to drive up home values. If you’re looking for a home to rent out or flip, then good schools can be a feature you advertise and profit from.

Physical Issues

A home inspection has to be something you do at some point, whether it’s before or after the actual sale. A certified inspector can find everything wrong with a home that should be fixed up so you can arrange for anything from foundation repair to roof replacement. Foundation repairs would be a very high priority for you to know about or deal with since they can impact the rest of the home-standing on the slab.

Homeowner’s Association

Not every neighborhood has an HOA, but the ones that do will involve quite a few rules and possibly even some local politics that you will have to deal with on a regular basis. You might enjoy living in an area where consistency and rules matter, but you might also find such stipulations stifling.

Neighbors

It’s impossible to get to know all your potential neighbors and see what they would be like to live on the same street, but you can still do a few things. Joining a neighborhood-specific social media group can tell you a lot. Always keep your eyes and ears open during an open house showing, if there is one. Many neighbors come by just to see what a home looks like on the inside. You’ll have the chance to talk to them.

It’s More Than Just the Price

Buying a home is about more than just what’s inside. Square footage and price matter quite a bit, but so do local schools, issues you might need to fix, potential HOA rules, and who your neighbors are. If you didn’t look into all of them before buying a home, then make sure you do so quickly after buying one.

Author Bio

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700