Where should you buy a property?
Sellers
Knowing what your home is worth at the present market. Sign up for a Market Snapshot to see similar homes listed, recently sold, and expired in your neighborhood www.activeandsold.com
Buyers
Create your own Personal MLS Listings Search, the same system that is available to Realtors. Visit www.yourownmls.ca
Where should you buy a property?
Before you begin
It is important that you consider the needs of all the people your new home must shelter and what effect their daily activities will have on your desire for a certain size or location, both now and in the future.
Thinking about some of the following factors will help you determine where and what you should purchase.
Community
- Rural? Small town? Suburban? City?
- What facilities are available: shopping centers? places of worship? recreational facilities? hospitals? schools?
- Are property taxes comparable to those in other communities?
- Are there any future developments planned which you may not like?
- Are the sewage and water systems adequate?
- What is the availability and cost of utilities: electricity? gas? water?
- What public services are provided: police? fire protection? ambulance? garbage collection? mail delivery? snow removal?
Transportation
- Is there nearby public transportation available?
- Do you mind a long commute to work or to visit friends?
- Can you afford to drive to and park at your workplace?
- Will another car be needed for your partner to drive to work, to shop, or take children to school or other activities?
- Are major roads easily accessible?
Neighborhood
- Is public and private property maintained to your satisfaction?
- What is the composition of families living nearby: quiet, mature people? teenagers? potential playmates for children?
- Are their incomes and lifestyles compatible with yours?
- Have home values risen, fallen, or remained stable in the recent past?
- Are there any known projects on the horizon that could substantially change the quality of the lifestyle or the home prices in the area?
- Do you feel comfortable with the current zoning regulations?
- When you walk up and down the streets of the neighbourhood, can you picture yourself living there for several years into the future?
- Do you understand the effect of the registered bylaws of a strata corporation? For example, do the bylaws restrict your right to rent the property or prohibit pets?
- Could the bylaws affect your quality of lifestyle and/or impact or protect the property’s value in the future?
Dwelling
- Are you interested in brand new only? a historic, character home? an already renovated resale? a solid, older home that just needs redecorating? or can you purchase a “fixer-upper” and do major renovations yourself?
- What combination of space do you require?
Think not only about bedrooms, bathrooms, and garages but also about areas for hobby activities and children’s play; and storage for clothes, skis, bicycles, windsurfers, tools, garden equipment, etc. - Is a large, well-equipped kitchen important to you? How about a fireplace? A large entrance hall? A sun deck? A pool?
- Would you prefer a small lawn and low-maintenance garden, or do you enjoy cutting grass and making things grow?
- Do you need a dwelling with room to eventually accommodate more children? Elderly parents? Inlaws? Do you require wheelchair accessibility either for you or your visitors?
- Are there any restrictions that could prohibit pets or rentals?
Schools
- What schooling is available: primary? high school? adult evening programs? college?
- How close are the schools and how do the students get there?
- Are the schools crowded?
- Is the sports program satisfactory?
- Do the students have a high achievement record?
- If your family has special educational needs, are these available?
Questions?
We are ready to answer any of your questions. Call Stan Stanchev at 604-202-1412.
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