So you have decided to buy a new house in Rocklin. You have come to a crossroads in your life and decided it’s time to take the homeownership leap.
Before you even think about shopping around for a home, you need to make a list of needs, wants and non-negotiables. You need to decide what means the most to you when choosing a house.
To make this easy, we have put together a list of a few things to consider when beginning your home search.
How is the commute?
Whether you are moving across the street or across the country, the impact on your commute is something you should think about. Yes, it may seem like no big deal to sit in traffic for an hour each way, but how about when you are doing it every day? Is this going to affect your mood? Think realistically about how far away you would be comfortable living and take a look at traffic patterns to see how bad the traffic would be during your drive.
Is the school district highly ranked?
If you have kids, schools are most likely at the top of your list when considering neighborhoods. But those without children probably wouldn’t list school districts as a primary concern. School districts play into resale value as well, so even if you don’t plan on having kids while living in the new place, schools should be a priority. The Rocklin Unified School District is well-recognized for its strong academic performance in the northern California area.
How strict is the HOA?
Have you ever lived in a neighborhood with a particularly strict HOA (Homeowner’s Association)? If you are not aware of restrictions and rules before you move in, or have different design aesthetics than your HOA will allow, it can be difficult to deal with. Before looking for homes, think about things you would ideally like to add to your home, and make sure you find an HOA with standards close to your own. Even things like adding a pool or which flowers to plant by the mailbox an fall under the HOA’s control.
What is the level of neighborhood crime?
You may not have a problem living in a growing neighborhood, but regular house break-ins can wreak havoc on your nerves and strain your relationship. Ask about the crime level in specific neighborhoods when you start your house hunt. If you have young children, you may be less willing to expose them to higher crime rates than if you live on your own.
Do you like the neighbors?
Neighborhoods are usually made up of neighbors that can play a key role in your happiness or aggravation. If you are a young homeowner moving into a neighborhood of retirees who don’t like loud social gatherings, you can run into trouble real quick. Also, if you move into a neighborhood with children and you are more of an intellectual kind of person, this home may not quite be the sanctuary you envisioned. Try to get the feel of the neighborhood dynamics by spending some time in the neighborhoods you think you’d be interested in and be sure to mention it to your real estate agent when you start house hunting.
Out with the new, in with the newer?
If the new neighborhood has a high turnover rate, it is likely there’s something wrong with the location, not with the neighbors themselves. Look into the average tenure people spend in their homes, and research deeper if something seems a little off. Has every home on the street had new owners more than once in the past five years? This definitely merits some research.
Before you start looking at homes, consider speaking to a Rocklin area real estate expert. Click here to contact Kortney Williams today!