Selecting the Perfect Location for Your Dream Home Selecting “just the right place” to start building your home is crucial. The location of your home will affect your day to day life, as well as your home’s future market value. You need to shop for a location, as you would if you were buying a home that was already built. Conduct research on all of your locations of interests and their surrounding neighborhoods.
Here are some questions that should be asked:
- What are the demographics, census reports, economy and crime rate of the locations you are considering?
- What prices are realtors selling homes and properties for within these areas?
- Is it a convenient location?
The answers to these questions could ensure that your dream home will add to your quality of life, increase in value and be around for generations to come. Where can you find these answers?
Here are some resources to get you started on your quest:
- United States Census bureau will provide you with social, economic, housing and demographic characteristics of any U.S. community.
- WalkScore will let you know how convenient the location is. This online service lets you know what is a walking distance from the location you specify (i.e., restaurants, postal offices, schools, dry cleaning).
- Realtor.com provides you with 2014 real estate statistics.
Robert Berg of Foster Design Build says the design you choose for your home will also depend on its location. You don’t want to build anything that sticks out like a sore thumb. If the entire block consists of brownstones, a small home made up of wood may look like someone’s shack. An artist always makes sure that the their art is one with its canvas. Make sure that your home stands out for its quality design and structure and not because it doesn’t fit in.
A location should also be based on who you are and what you want. If you are used to the suburbs you may not want to build your home in a rural community or vice versa. If you have allergies you wouldn’t want to be surrounded by dozens of trees and gardens. If you have disabilities that affect your mobility, you will need to research the accessibility of the area you are considering.
Things to keep in mind:
Before you begin construction be sure you have found the right spot to build on. Consider safety, prosperity, economy and convenience when making your final decision. Make sure that the location adds to your quality of life.
