I am in the market for a new house and while I know the obvious things to look for -- size, price, number of bedrooms -- what other factors should I be considering when I attend my next open house?
For this question, we turned to Katherine Melhorn, a Realtor with The Janet Jones Co. in Little Rock who has been assisting buyers and sellers for nearly 20 years.
m School districts -- "What school district your potential new home is in is a huge consideration -- whether you have children or not," says Melhorn. "Certainly, if you have school-age children, one of the most important considerations is finding a home that is located in a good school district. Getting your children situated in a stable, reputable school that is bolstered by a strong and active parents' organization will give you peace of mind that your children are receiving a great education in a safe environment."
But moving into a house in an enticing school district is also an advantage for those who don't have school-age children.
"If the home you are considering is located in a strong school district, you are assured that when it comes time to sell your home, the resale value will be strong, in part because of the desirable school district," Melhorn says. "Conversely, if the home you are considering is located in a weaker school district, you might give careful consideration to how that might affect the eventual resale of that home."
m Neighborhood amenities -- It's a good idea to turn a critical eye to the neighborhood -- how far is the grocery store? Is there a farmers market nearby? How close are churches, a gym, a dry cleaner's, doctor's and dentist's offices? Also check out the nearby entertainment facilities like theaters, restaurants and public parks.
m Commute time -- "Families who are [moving] to a new city are often adamant about finding a home that is close to their new workplace," Melhorn says. "They want to enhance their quality of life by spending more time with their families and less time in their cars on freeways. For some homebuyers, shaving their drive time from an hour to 25 minutes is a joyous relief, while other homebuyers will prefer finding a home that is only 10 minutes away from their workplace. No matter the situation, the goal for these families
is to relinquish stress and increase the time spent being with loved ones in their new dream home."
m Best time to make the move -- Those who haven't experienced a job promotion or relocation that makes their moving dates crucial may want to, when planning to buy a new house, consider the children's school year, ongoing projects at work, weather conditions, and the time needed to get belongings organized and packed.
m Windows -- Many prospective buyers place a lot of emphasis on finding a house that offers abundant natural light, Melhorn says. "Some buyers embrace the older neighborhoods where you can find homes with beautiful wood windows and mullions. While these may be less energy-efficient, old-neighborhood buyers are usually content to add storm windows to enhance insulation."
Other buyers prefer newer neighborhoods where vinyl-clad, double-paned windows can be found, she adds. "These newer windows are extremely effective in lowering utility bills, which may be a higher priority for many buyers."
Other considerations include the need for blinds or curtains in houses with many windows or unusually large windows.
m Times of day -- A house has a different appearance at different times of the day. Morning sun in one part of the house may be a wonderful advantage while in another it creates unwanted heat. The same is true with the evening sun. Where the sunlight hits throughout the day could affect the comfort and energy costs.
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
HomeStyle on 07/12/2014