You already own a home, and whatever your reasons are, you want to make a change. There’s been a lot of bad news about the real estate market over the last year. However, most of the negative news what you’ve seen on TV, read in the newspaper and seen on the Internet hasn't been about the local Puget Sound area market. A visit to our “Current Market Trends” section has some local information about how we’re different than the national trend. Also our “Time to Sell” section has information about getting a good price for your home by standing out from the crowd.
There are three key factors that are driving consumers’ perceptions about Puget Sound area real estate: sales price, value (most people think of this as a home’s assessed value) and mortgage rates. It’s the recent drop in sales prices that makes people nervous — "I can’t get as much for my home now as I could a year ago." Stop and think! Let’s assume that’s true for just a moment. If it is true, the home you really want is cheaper now than it was a few years ago.
Now That We've Got You Thinking...
There are a number of factors to consider when you’re ready to move up to a new home. Here are a few of them to help you decide what’s right for you.
Learn about the school district in any neighborhood you are considering.
For the vast majority of home-buying families with young children this is right at the top of their priorities. Does this
school district offer any special educational or athletic opportunities you might prefer? How is it ranked? Visit the neighborhood schools. Talk to the principal, teachers and other parents in the neighborhood. Ask to see standardized test scores such as the WASL. And let your real estate agent help. Your agent can usually provide you with additional information about schools in the area.
Check on safety.
Even if your children are toddlers now, in the blink of an eye they’ll be riding their bikes and playing with
neighborhood children. Are there
parks or schoolyards nearby? What is the posted speed limit on the street? Does the area feel kid-friendly? While a neighborhood can look orderly and safe, it could have numerous incidents of burglary or vandalism. If you will be living alone, consider what neighbors might be home a lot. Homes on streets where a number of neighbors work from home or are home during the day because they work nights tend to have fewer incidents of attempted break-ins. Check with local law enforcement to see if the neighborhood you’re considering has any specific or chronic crime problems.
Do you need a family room?
You’re probably well aware of how many bathrooms and bedrooms you want but by the time your kids reach their adolescent and teenage years, will the family room still accommodate your needs? Is there an area where friends can stop over and study or hang out away from younger children or family members needing quiet or study time? And speaking of study time, educational experts agree that it’s important to have dedicated study areas where your children can develop good study habits. Whether there’s space in their bedroom, the kitchen area or another nook, look for an area away from the action where they can concentrate and avoid distractions.
What about the commute?
This applies not only to you and your partner, but your children as well. How long will it take them to get to the grade school, middle school and high school? Does the district provide busing? Is public transportation available for you and how long will it take to get to work? If you have young children, will your commute make it difficult to leave work when the school nurse calls or there is a special program at school? Spending too much time each day just getting to-and-from work and school could make a lovely location much less desirable over time.