|
Choosing
a place to live can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of
a lifetime. We've learned through the home seekers we have helped
that the best approach is to be prepared. Literally, to do some
homework. Our observation is simple. Your move can be an
improvement if you duplicate what you like in your resent
community and avoid what you dislike.
House
Hunting Begins at Home
The search can begin in your present home so we've
developed some questions to stimulate your thinking and help you
identify your needs and preferences. Once you've clarified what you
like in your present community, you will have a better idea of what
you want to find. Plus, you will be able to express your
preferences clearly to the real estate person who can help you find
it. One hint to keep in mind as you go house hunting is an old
wisdom: "The best time to think
about selling your home is when you're buying it." In
other words, what appeals to you as a buyer today will probably also
appeal (or what turns you off will be a turn off) to buyers
tomorrow. A careful house hunter will benefit years from now when
it's time to sell to an equally value-conscious buyer. Build your
buyer's savvy by reading classifieds and homes-for-sale magazines,
and also visiting open houses.
County
& City Questions
Would you characterize
your present area as urban, suburban, semi-rural or rural? Is the population density low,
medium or high? Is the population decreasing, stable or increasing?
What natural features are
the most significant? Woods? Hills? Flat land? Rivers? Ocean shore? Man-made lakes?
Streams and ponds?
How do you commute to work?
Do you Walk? Drive? Car pool? Taxi? Bus? Train? How far must you travel and how long does
it take morning and evening? Do you use available public transportation for local trips or
to visit closeby communities? Can someone reach your home on public transportation?
Where do you do your shopping?
Central commercial districts? Shopping malls?  Supermarket shopping clusters? Community
shops or home delivery? Imagine a list of typical stops in one week...how many miles and
how much time would visiting the entire list require? Do you want greater convenience?
What types of schools does
your family attend now? From grade school to graduate school, and from
day care needs to special vocational training, what facilities will you require in the
next few years? Are there any special needs or plans? Although it's extremely difficult to
compare quality of education.. .especially when the most important ingredient is the
relationship between teacher and student. . .some statistical indicators can be helpful.
Average class size at grade level. Comparative standardized test scores. Percentage of
high school graduates who go to college. Ask us about school report from NSRS.
What does the area offer for
recreation and entertainment? Music? Movies and live stage? Sports arenas? Museums?
Nightlife? What types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities are available? Are there
public parks, private country clubs, athletic clubs, fraternal groups? Do you require any
special facilities?
Back to top
Choosing
a Neighborhood
After you take stock of the larger
view of the county and city, this section helps you zero in on
your neighborhood preferences. In real estate an old maxim
says there are three criteria that determine market value:
"Location, location, and location. The concept of neighborhood
isn't as precise as county or city. Some people consider the
boundaries to be the district around a grade
school. Others consider it "walking distance, more or less within a half-mile radius.
Wherever you draw the line, a neighborhood is the immediate area around your house.
People,
Services
Every neighborhood can be described
from three standpoints: its people (your future neighbors),
what it looks like, and where its services are located. Yet
any neighborhood description is highly subjective, which
brings up another observation from our experience.  No matter
how much hard data one gathers about a neighborhood, nothing
compares with information that local people provide. Whether
it's fellow workers, letter carriers or people at a bus stop.
.. neighbors are the best observers of a neighborhood. Talk to
as many people as you can and ask them the following
questions.
Back to top
Neighborhood
Questions
Do neighbors socialize regularly,
or hold block parties, picnics, holiday parties, organize sports teams? What are the ways
they have met their neighbors? Walking a dog, commuting, PTA, cocktail parties, little
league, gardening?
What types of dwellings:
high-rise or low-rise apartments, condominiums, multi-family structures, single family
houses, mobile homes? How much do the neighbors care for lawns and gardens? Are the houses
maintained "like new," adequately, poorly Is there a Home Owner's Association?
Are cars parked mostly in
garages, driveways, in the street? How old are the houses? More than 30 years old? 15 to
30 years? New? How far apart are the houses? Are property upgrades common? Swimming pools,
tennis courts, fences, walls, patios, extensive landscaping?
For convenience, how does
the neighborhood rate? Can you walk to shopping or is a car necessary? List your five most
frequent destinations. Are they clustered in one stop-and-shop location? Two stops? How
much time is required for fire, police or ambulance services to arrive in an emergency?
How close are cultural centers, parks, restaurants, theaters, playgrounds?
How do the children routinely
reach their schools, play areas, friends' homes? By walking, bicycle, bus, or do parents
drive them? Is public transportation available for commuting or shopping? Do any local
ordinances affect pets, parking, lawn, etc.?
What are the disadvantages of the
neighborhood? Freeway, railroad or airplane noise? Factory pollution, heavy
traffic, exposure to heavy storms, possible flooding?
Back to top
Area
House Styles
The metropolitan area is known for its
variety of charming houses. This section is designed to introduce some of the basic styles
most frequently found in the area. Numerous variations and other unique styles not
mentioned here are also available.
|
Low-Rise Condominium. A
cluster of attached units, four stories or less ranging
from converted garden apartments to ramblers and
two-story town houses. Resident owns title to living
space while jointly owning public areas; condominium fee
often covers maintenance, amenities, sometimes water;
other utilities may be individually billed.
|
|
Rambler. A single-story
house with all living areas on same level. Variations
include L-shape or U-shape plan, perhaps with basement.
Sometimes called "ranch"; if it is small, a "bungalow",
or "cottage".
|
|
Split Foyer. Entry is
between floors. Makes use of slope by placing basement
partially above ground level on uphill side, thus
basement becomes livable space. Also called "split
entry".
|
|
Split Level. Side wing has
two levels off main ground floor; designed for maximum
living space while occupying the least land. Garage and
sub-basement are frequent options.
|
|
Cape Cod. A symmetrical
peaked roof often with dormer windows which creates a
one-and-a half story design with living space upstairs
in an "expansion attic.
|
|
Town House. A row of two-or-three-story
dwellings sharing common walls, also called "row
houses" or "town homes." Wide range of styles
from contemporary to colonial. The term
"semi-detached" describes a pair of town house end
units; similar in function to a duplex.
|
|
Colonial. A two-story design with center hall or side entry,
often with basement. Variations often feature double or single wings with garage. Numerous
styles include New England, Federal, Plantation, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial. |
|
Contemporary. Modern
and non-traditional creation of living spaces using a spectrum of shapes, materials and
designs. An "open" use of space is characteristic. May be single or multiple
stories. |
|
We are providing real estate service to buyer and sellers in Howard, Montgomery, Baltimore, Carroll
and Frederick Counties, Maryland. |
|
