Buying a Home in Hampton Roads!
General Information for Buyers.
What every buyer must know!
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General Information for Buyers. |
| What to do? New Home? Old Home? Build Home? | ||
One crucial decision you will make is whether
you prefer a brand-new or previously owned home. This very important decision
should be made with your entire family in mind. New homes come with certain
advantages : You can be fairly sure the roof won't leak; that the
insulation is sufficient; and the heating, ventilating, and
air conditioning systems are up to date. If you so desire, you can give the new
home a traditional touch - such as wood kitchen cabinets and pedestal sinks
which give the ambience of an older home while enjoying the amenities of a new
home..Buying an existing home does not banish you to a leaking, drafty house that requires every minute of your weekend for repairs. Your options run from 10-year-old ranches that still feel brand new to fully renovated old Victorians to handyman specials which require tender loving care. |
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| If you decide to buy an old home.... | ||
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| If you decide to buy a new home.... | ||
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| If you decide to build your new home.... | ||
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Before you build your dream home, it's wise to spend some time considering the ground on which it will stand. The perfect location involves more than just an address - it's everything from the quality of the soil under your feet to the view of the sunset from your back porch.
First and foremost, consider your lifestyle. You need to know what you want now, and five years into the future. Also, you should have some idea about how long you plan on living in this house. If you have children, for example, you'll want a yard that provides a level playing space. If you don't have children, might you have them during the time you plan on staying in the house? Or will you soon be an empty nester wanting to simplify your life with a low maintenance yard? If you are a gardener, you'll want to consider if the lot has good sun exposure. By answering these questions, you'll be able to narrow your choices down to what's best for your present and future lifestyle. Look and Listen to the Land Homebuyers need to be aware of not only what's on their perspective lot, but also what's next to it. When looking at the adjacent properties consider zoning, power lines, and privacy. For example, if your lot is a corner lot, it may offer more space but less privacy than you'd like. Look and listen to the roads that border your property for traffic noise and safety, a particular concern for families with young children. Ask the builder or sales counselor about easements for underground utilities and sewers, in case you have plans for an in-ground pool or other enhancements in the future. If you are looking in a new home community, every lot will have an easement. There's no way around it. Make sure you have open communication with the builder so you are aware of where the easements are.
A House with a View A lot with a view may cost you a bit more, but typically the resale value of the home will be higher as well. However, an outstanding view may have other costs as well. A sloping lot may give you an opportunity for a walkout basement, but it could limit your space for a deck or addition in the future. Likewise, a driveway with a steep incline may make it difficult to drive during certain seasons of the year if you are building a home where snow and ice are an issue. While drainage isn't usually a problem for a sloping lot, soil erosion can be. And consider if your new home plan will work on the existing terrain or if you'll need to adjust the landscape before you begin building. Fortunately your builder will be able to help you find a lot that fits your plan, or vice versa. Get the Dirt on Soil The quality of the lot has as much to do with what you can't see, as what you can. Know what's below the surface. Is it all rock? The type of soil is also a consideration, especially if you are responsible for your own sewer and water. Soil structure varies from site to site, even within the same community. Before a builder can sell a lot, he's responsible for having the soil checked for contaminants, erosion and water table -- tests which can be a costly if a homebuyer chooses to build on their own lot. No Home is an Island Finally, take a good look at the entire neighborhood. The streetscape is an important aesthetic aspect of your individual lot - do you like what you see when you look out your windows? Ask yourself whether it has the feel you want, if this is a neighborhood you'll love to call home. If you follow these suggested ground rules, chances are you'll want to lay roots there for a long time. |
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| | First Time Buyers | Asking Price | Pre-Approval | Inspections | Making an Offer | |
| | Using a Realtor | Sales Contract | Final Walk-Thru | Buyer Gen Info | |
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Tom Chambers |
Typically, old homes sit on generous plots of land in or near town.
