You might have found the perfect house complete with everything you were looking for and then some at an amazing price, but if the home for sale locally isn’t in all that great of a location, you’re better off continuing the search.
Location is key when buying a house, and ultimately determines the value of local houses for sale. As you house hunt, keep these points in mind so as to avoid buying a house in a bad location.
Property Taxes.
Property taxes can be a real killer if you’re not on the watch. Homes for sale in nicer areas have higher property taxes than the homes for sale in less desirable areas, so it’s best to find a happy medium if your finances are already being stretched.
Commute Time.
The length of your daily drive to work can have a serious effect on your disposable income. Though it might not seem like it’s all that big of a deal to drive a little bit extra, you’re not only using up more gas, but also adding more wear and tear to your car every single day. Eventually, it all adds up and you may wind up having to pay hundreds if not thousands in vehicle maintenance each year. As you look at homes for sale, be sure to find one that’s not too out of your way from work.
Crime Rates.
Although the homes for sale in areas with higher crime rates might be far cheaper, you’ll also have to worry about getting burglarized, jumped, or having your car broken into. No discount in price is worth your peace of mind, so avoid the homes for sale in high crime areas.
“Location, location, location” might be a bit of a cliche addage, but it still holds value. As you look at homes for sale, keep the property taxes, commute time, and crime rates in mind to avoid buying a house not worth investing in. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. Read more like this.