There are certain things that will greatly affect how you live in a home. The ironic thing is most Austin home buyers never think to investigate or even notice the things that will most affect them. To help you think through your next purchase, here are the 8 things home buyers should notice but don’t. Follow these and you’ll help eliminate buyer’s remorse.
#1: Lot Grade
Hillsides, slopes and retaining walls are cause for further evaluation. Central Texas has expansive soil conditions which may affect the stability of foundations, structure and retaining walls. We recommend to, when conditions warrant, have the property inspected by a Geotechnical Engineer or Structural Engineer.
#2: Drainage
Water penetration is the single biggest contributor to structural failure. Flash flooding conditions may periodically occur. We recommend having the drainage system evaluated if conditions indicate potential water penetration or intrusion.
#3: House Placement
Ideally, because of the sun’s path, the outdoor patio area is best situated on the north side of the house to mitigate the afternoon heat. Think about how the morning, afternoon and evening sun will impact your enjoyment of the property.
#4: Natural Light
Natural light is highly desirable except when it causes discomfort and inconvenience. Check out the whether the sun’s rays will cause an unacceptable heat build up in any rooms that are most important to you.
#5: Indoor – Outdoor Traffic Flow
Outdoor entertaining is part of the Central Texas lifestyle. Determine whether the traffic pattern between kitchen, family room and outdoor patio area works for you.
#6: Undesirable Neighbors
Proximity to fire stations, schools, churches, government buildings, parking lots, gas stations, fast food restaurants, and strip malls is not desirable for most people and suppresses resale value. Think long and hard about a home next to or near one of these landmarks. All other things being equal, a property of this type is worth less than another similar property.
#7: Visual Vexations
Unsightly nuisances, such as, high voltage power lines, water towers, highways moverpasses or a lighted football field are the kind of visual distractions objectionable to many people.
#8: Noise Pollution
Traffic noise is almost always objectionable unless you were born and raised in Manhattan. (I once represented a Manhattan born and raised client who simply didn’t hear the noise.) Some people are disturbed by noisy school playgrounds – sounds carries long distances – check out the noise factor for yourself as noise tolerance levels are subjective.
Does the Home You’re Buying Suit Your Lifestyle?
One of the things our team of buyer’s agents will focus on when representing you is ensuring the home will best suit your lifestyle. We’ll help you think through many scenarios you might not think of when you first see a house to give you a better understanding how much you might enjoy this house after the excitement wears off.
Looking for an Austin Buyer’s Agent to Represent You, Not Sell You?
If you’re looking for a buyer’s agent who will counsel you to the right decision, not just sell you the most expensive house you can afford, Eleven Oaks Realty is the buyer’s agent for you. To learn more about us, check out our Austin Home Buyers section. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com or fill out our Buyer Survey to get started.
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