Choosing Where to Live: Location, Location, Location
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times:
Location, location, location.
It’s one of the oldest rules in real estate.
And there’s a reason.
You can change the paint.
You can change the flooring.
You can remodel the kitchen.
You can replace the bathroom.
But you generally can’t pick up your house and move it to a different neighborhood.
That’s why where you live deserves just as much attention as the house itself.
Start With Your Daily Life
Think about the things you do over and over.
Where do you work?
Where do your kids go to school?
Where do you shop?
Where do you go for medical care?
Where do you exercise?
Where do you spend time with friends and family?
How long are you willing to commute?
A beautiful house can become a lot less beautiful when you’re spending two hours a day getting to and from it.
Think About Convenience
Make a list of the places you visit regularly.
Then think about how far you’re comfortable traveling to get there.
Consider:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Schools
- Parks
- Healthcare
- Pharmacies
- Gyms
- Churches or community organizations
- Family and friends
- Major highways
- Public transportation, if applicable
- Airports or other travel needs
You don’t have to be five minutes from everything.
But you should understand what your everyday life will look like.
Think About the Future
Your location needs to work for more than this exact moment.
Maybe your children will get older.
Maybe your job will change.
Maybe you’ll work from home.
Maybe you’ll want to travel more.
Maybe you’ll want to stay in the home for many years.
You don’t need to predict the future.
Just don’t completely ignore it.
What Can You Change?
This is one of my favorite questions to ask when looking at a house.
What can I change?
Paint?
Yes.
Flooring?
Probably.
Kitchen?
Possibly.
Closet?
Maybe.
Lot location?
No.
Busy road?
No.
Distance from work?
No.
Neighborhood?
No.
That doesn’t mean those things are automatically good or bad.
It means you should know which things you’re buying as-is because you won’t be changing them.
Visit the Area More Than Once
A neighborhood can feel completely different at different times.
Try visiting during:
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Weekends
Listen.
Look around.
Pay attention to traffic.
Notice parking.
Look at how people use the neighborhood.
You may discover something you love.
You may discover something you don’t.
Either way, it’s useful information.
Don’t Just Shop for the House
You’re not only buying four walls.
You’re choosing where you’re going to live.
That’s why I want buyers to think about:
Does this location support the life I want to live?
If the answer is yes, that’s a great start.
If the answer is no, the most beautiful kitchen in the world probably isn’t going to fix it.
Have a Question?
Buying a home comes with a lot of questions. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Have a question about something you read here? Want to talk through your situation? Or just not sure what your next step should be?
I’m happy to help.
Schedule a Time to Talk With Karyn
No pressure. No obligation. Just straight answers.
Prefer to just send me a question?