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Choosing Your New Home and Neighborhood
Most people will buy several homes in the course of their lifetime but very few make the decision based upon a logical approach. We just don't have a lot of experience with this type of purchase and tend to choose on a home based upon a limited selection process. In selecting a home we are making a choice that will affect our daily living for years to come. We are making a decision that will affect each of our family members. So, STOP! and think. Here is a list for you to consider.
Home Price Location The Floor plan The lot size Age of home
The Price
What can you afford? The monthly cost of home ownership shouldn't exceed 30% of your net take home pay. This is the mortgage payment including taxes and insurance. If you are young and expect to see your income increase significantly in the next five years you may choose to go above the 30% figure. But, if you are well established in your career you may expect only an incremental increase in your income.
Location
The location is a very important decision that many people do not seriously consider. The needs of your lifestyle may impact the location decision but everyday things like daily/weekly shopping and the proximity of services and recreational venues is important. If you have children you will be concerned about schools and playgrounds. If you are empty-nesters you may be more concerned about access to restaurants and medical facilities. Of course you will also be concerned about the commute to work. A location within a subdivision may have limited traffic as with a cul-de-sac. At the same time a location within large subdivision may require significant driving just to exit the subdivision.
The Floor Plan
The floor plan of a house dictates how your family "lives" within your home. The layout of the rooms establishes the paths that family members must follow as they move about the house. A split floor plan in which the master bedroom is separated from the other bedrooms creates a separation between the children (or guests) and the parents. The great room concept tends to bring the family together in one large space while a separate family room provides space where children are not under foot. Here in Florida with our wonderful weather the patio expands the entertainment space. Two story homes create yet another arrangement of the living spaces. An entry directly into the kitchen from the garage adds to the convenience when bringing in groceries.
New Home or Older Home
There are pros and cons to consider when deciding between a new home and a resale. With a new home everything is new minimizing the concern about near term maintenance expenses. But, the new home buyer will typically spend money on personalizing the home with landscaping, fencing, a patio and such. The resale home typically has mature landscaping and the various amenities but may require maintenance work within the first few years. While the new home may be in a newly developed subdivision the older home is in an established neighborhood. Many of the older homes have larger lots compared to those in the new subdivsion.
Lot Size
The size of the lot makes a difference when it comes to privacy and the availability of space for the children as well as enjoyable outdoors space. Many new subdivisions are being built with near zero lot lines that do not allow for side yards. One can often hear conversations in the neighbors home. Many people want a fenced back yard be it for their pets or their garden. Older, established subdivisions often have larger lots.
Help With Your Selection of a Home
As a Realtor I have considerable knowledge of our neighborhoods and the new home subdivisions in St Johns County. St Augustine has many established neighborhoods while it also has newer subdivisions intermingled with the older communities. I spend considerable time with my customers showing them the choices that are available.
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Need Help? Have
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St Augustine Real Estate
