How to Buy the Right Home in the Right Texas Neighborhood

There is no question that a professional realtor in College Station, TX or Bryan, TX will be able to find you and your family a home that suits all your needs and dreams. However, before you make the decision, it is important to not only look at the house and property itself but also the surrounding neighborhood. You want a convenient and comfortable place to live with friendly neighbors and the type of lifestyle you want to follow.

The following tips will help you determine if a particular Texas neighborhood is the right one to choose for your family's long-term happiness.

Always Use an Experienced Realtor With Local Knowledge

A realtor in College Station, TX will know the local area and all the neighborhoods. She will be able to guide you to the right type of community for your family's particular needs. Real estate agents from outside the area have to rely on maps and demographic information and can therefore not provide the best recommendations.

Check for Home Owner's Association Fees, Rules and Restrictions

If you are considering a purchase in a neighborhood that has a Home Owners Association government, it is important to understand all the rules, regulations and restrictions associated with living there. Some of them charge monthly or yearly fees and in turn provide access to public areas such as playgrounds and pools, or even to all exterior maintenance of lawns and buildings. If you have particular interests when it comes to exterior home design or have a particular familial need like a basketball hoop in the driveway, it is essential to know if these things will be allowed before you move in.

Understand the Home's Construction, Renovation and Repair History

Whether you are purchasing an existing home or new construction, you should work with the realtor in finding out when and how the house was built, if any major or minor renovations were done and if repair was needed for any major systems. Not only does this help you understand the condition of the house, but also learn about any warranties that still exist or the possibility of future renovation or repair needs.

Hire an Independent Home Inspector

An independent inspection of the entire property is essential before you sign any contracts or purchase the home. You need to know what exactly you are buying from the quality of the foundation to the dripping faucet and upstairs bathroom. Lack of knowledge leads to unpleasant and costly surprises after the purchase is complete.

Get an Overall Impression of the Neighborhood

Take some time to drive around several neighborhoods in the College Station, TX and Bryan, TX area before choosing one that seems to fit your lifestyle and interests. Your realtor can also help you determine what locations may work best with information about access to public transportation, shopping and cultural attractions, the quality of schools and other community characteristics.

Scope Out the Neighbors and Local Activity

Once you and your realtor narrow down your choices to several properties of interest, the last determining factor, other than cost, could be the neighbors who live on the same street or on the lots surrounding the property. Although it is impossible to know everything about the people you may potentially live next to, it is a good idea to visit the neighborhood at different times of day to see if there is excessive noise, traffic or any other unpleasant situations you would not want to live near.

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor Bryan-College Station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your home. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.