Often Overlooked Considerations for Home Buyers

By Robert Jenson (c) 2008

Amid a glut of large, more obvious decisions that need to be made whenbuying a home, there are a litany of smaller considerations that should alsobe taken into account before signing on the dotted line.

To help would-be homeowners make more informed decisions here are some oftenoverlooked real estate concerns to consider:

Home Orientation - To minimize electric bills and direct sunlight degradinghome furnishings and décor, it's important to consider which direction ahome's backyard sliders and larger windows face. West-facing back yardsreceive the most direct sunlight and, hence, heat and UV ray exposure.

Energy Efficiency - Dual pain windows with a vacuum in the middle, such asLOW - E, can go a long way to reduce a home's energy usage and electricbills. Interior and/or exterior window treatments are another important wayto keep heat out and protect the home's interior contents - valuablefurniture, carpets, rugs, and art work - against sun damage.

Seasonal Expenses - While home buyers should estimate the annualized coststo cool a home during the hot spring and summer months, they should alsoconsider what it will cost to winterize the home, such as ensuring exposedpipes, pool equipment and other outdoor plumbing fixtures are appropriatelyshielded.

Water - Many areas have hard, highly mineralized water that is tough onclothes, dishes and pipes, among other things, so a water softener will beneeded if the home does not have one already. And, if it doesn't, ensure theinspector assesses the plumbing very carefully. Also, unless the buyer wantstheir water to taste like coins, they're wise to install a reverse osmosiswater purification system hard plumbed into both the sink and therefrigerator in-door water dispenser and ice maker.

Landscaping - One should not underestimate the extent to which trees, shrubsand lawns will need to be watered and otherwise maintained. Those landscapeswith native trees and shrubs will minimize water usage and, thus, costs,while a lush lawn will require much more effort and expense to maintain. It'salso imperative to know what the watering guidelines and/or restrictions arein the area to conserve water and avoid fines.

Pest Extermination - Simply put, it's mandatory to hire a professional toensure the residence remains as bug-free as possible. From spiders to antsto roaches to bees among other creepy crawlers, bugs are one sure fire wayto undermine a home's enjoyment factor, not to mention the resident's safetyand well-being from those pests packing a poisonous punch.

Pets - Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors are also greatly affected byharsh sun, wind and cold weather extremes. It's important to ensure thesepets will have a shady, sheltered reprieve from these elements also withaccess to ample water. Hot concrete and tiled patios can burn an animal'svery sensitive paws, so lay area rugs where it's feasible.

Pool Safety - For homes with pools, safety is a top priority.particularlyfor those families with pets and small children. Aside from a smaller, moreflexible safety gate one might erect, understand that in many states the lawrequires a 5-foot barrier to separate your pool from neighboring yards. Itit's not already there, one will need to be constructed.

Property Taxes - When calculating mortgage and other significanthome-related expenses, be sure to include property taxes. They will likelybe more - potentially far more - than what the current owner is paying asthis tax is based upon a percentage of the home's most recent sale price andassessed land value. Neglecting to include this in your budgetconsiderations is a costly mistake.

Resale Potential - There are many things to consider when buying a home, notthe least of which is its resale potential. For example, in neighborhoodswith attached three-car garages, a two-car or detached garage may adverselyaffect the home sale and future value. Number of bedrooms, floorplans,location, and proximity to noisy streets are among other factors that canprove problematic for a future sale. No matter how much you love a home, don'tlose sight of the fact that it's potentially the largest investment youmight make in your lifetime.

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Please contact me, Robert Jenson, for more information on this or any otherreal estate related matter at Rob@TheJensonGroup.com or through my Web sitelocated at www.TheJensonGroup.com.