School of Thought on Choosing Your Next Home

So you’ve decided that 2014 is going to be the year you buy a new house. Congratulations and good luck! Choosing where to buy your next home can be an overwhelming decision. If it’s your first home, it can seem like an impossible task. Location, condition, size, number of bedrooms, age of the house, type of street… the list can go on and on. A reputable realtor can help you navigate through these important decisions. To complicate your decision, if you have children or are considering starting a family, you also need to consider the school district in which your potential new home will be located. Even if you don’t have school-aged children now and never plan on having any, you should inquire about nearby schools as they can have an impact on the price of your home now and into the future. Here are three reasons why you should consider the quality of school districts when you buy your next home:

1. Houses near schools that have a good reputation will probably cost more than houses near less favourable schools. 2. Buying in a strong school district can help protect your home’s value even when the housing market fluctuates. In other words, it can be less of a gamble to buy in a “good” school district than buying a house in another area. 3. While the initial price of the home may be a barrier because it may be higher than homes in other areas, it can also give you comfort that the future resale value of your home will probably increase. If you have narrowed down your search to a particular neighbourhood or even a few neighbourhoods that appeal to you, ask your real estate agent about the schools in these areas and how they affect the price of a home. A reputable realtor will know which schools are the most favourable and why. Remember that while school districts are an important factor to take into account when considering your next home purchase, it’s not the only criteria you should use. Think about what matters to you as a homeowner now and into the future. Location and proximity to certain schools are not easily changed, but paint colour and other cosmetic features are, so make sure you are clear about your home buying priorities before you make such an important purchase. Dave from Vancouver Landscaping Company also comments “It’s also wise to look into property investments in landscaping that can further increase the value of your property in 2014, for example an outdoor kitchen or sunroom” As always, if you have any questions or person experiences to share, feel free to comment below!