buying your first home - what you should know

Five Factors to Keep in Mind If You're in the Market for a City Home

If you are on the market for a new home in an urban environment, you should know there are common factors that tend to be of varying degrees of importance for different potential buyers. Your must-have list might be unique, but there are features and drawbacks you should always keep in mind when it comes to city properties. Here are five factors that should at least be taken into account when one is considering one's requirements in a city home. 

1. Proximity to Daily Needs

Looking for real estate in the heart of any city usually has something to do with the proximity this affords to local spots. If you plan on having kids or dogs, being next to parks and open spaces might be a must-have. If you have daily spots you like to visit such as coffee shops, nightlife venues, or shopping options, having these right down the street can make a property more viable.

2. Parking and Transportation Needs

While a home might be great on the inside, if you can't park your car in the crowded neighborhood, the home could be tough to live with. If you are one to take the bus, public transportation options need to be accessible as well. If you aren't within a safe or feasible walking distance to public transportation options, this might be deal breaker as well.

3. On-Site Safety Features

When looking into a condo or apartment for sale in an urban environment, overall safety needs to be a priority. The age of a building, the security offered in lobbies, and access to common areas of a property all should be reviewed and considered in one's home search.

4. HOA Background and Fees

Sometimes the best apartment in a shared building might not come with HOA rules or payments that you can handle. Be sure to read up on rules that have to do with renting, pets, and even guests. HOA monthly fees might be so steep that they offset any great real-estate deals and would need to be budgeted for as well.

5. Noise and Air Pollution

Sometimes living in the heart of the city is going to come with nuisances, but things like noise and air pollution need to be at an acceptable level. Try to visit a space during different times of the day or week to listen for any excess street or neighbor noise. Take a cloth around window sills or take into account the distance to major thoroughfares that might bring lesser-quality airflow and might require air filters within a home.

Moving to a city is a great real estate option, and many urban markets either remain stable or grow over time. Make sure that the urban property you choose has more perks associated with it than liabilities.

For more information on shopping for a home, consult professionals such as NORTHERN COLORADO HOME SEARCH


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