Buying

Hot tip

How important is property location?
Very. When considering a house purchase, it’s always wise to
weigh how property values may rise —
or fall — before making an investment.
Generally speaking, property values tend to rise in neighborhoods where there is a transit route that cuts commute
time. What’s more, houses located
within the jurisdiction of good school
districts have higher property values than those served by less desirable schools. Despite this, a house’s value
can be adversely affected if it is situated directly across the street from a school.
Location within a community can
affect property value as well. A house that is within walking distance of public
transportation or a shopping area is
oftentimes more valuable. But if it’s too close to either, it may lower in value.
Similarly, a house near a busy freeway or heavily traveled road is generally lower in value. Within subdivisions,
cul-de-sacs tend to be quiet, private and more desirable locales. Thus, corner
lots often sell for less due to their
increased exposure.