When you are looking to buy a home it is important to scope out the neighborhood your future home will be in.  Below are some tips to making sure you thoroughly do your new home’s neighborhood research:

HOA Rules and Regulations.  You might want to build a tall fence for backyard privacy, plant a food garden in your front yard or have bees, goats or other light livestock on your property – but your city’s regulations may or may not allow these things, depending on the zoning of your neighborhood. Similarly, you might want to paint your home a shade that isn’t allowed by the HOA rules, or have more cars than your desired home has “legal” parking spaces – HOA regulations may even go so far as to ban exterior satellite dishes, pets and even some internal home improvements.

Read the HOA rules and regulations disclosed by your next home’s seller very, very thoroughly to understand any such limitations before you buy. And if you’re considering any sort of urban farming or have plans to make major changes to the exterior of your home after closing, you might want to contact the city building and planning department before you remove your contingencies, to see what would and would not be involved in making those changes to that home.

Future Developments. Many states require that sellers disclose any manufacturing, commercial, airport or industrial zones that currently exist near the property. What is less clear to most buyers is the equally important issue of whether there are any proposals currently being considered by the powers that be that would create new zones that fall into these categories – proposals that could very well uptick the traffic, noise, odors and pollution that you’ll have to deal with in the home as time goes on. You should feel free to ask the seller flat out, but here’s where a call to the city and a plain old Google search for the neighborhood names and cross streets can also be helpful, to turn up news reports of relevant proposals and permit requests.  Ask your agent for guidance on other local sources you might be able to tap into.

Special Assessments by the HOA. HOA’s can impose special assessments to cover building and common area repairs and upgrades. And some cities,districts, neighborhoods and states vote in special assessments that are added onto local homeowners’ property tax bills for things like first responder services, street lighting, supplemental school funding and the like. Once these things have already been imposed, they are disclosed through title and HOA disclosures, but it’s best to know about them when they’re coming down the pike.

Reviewing the disclosed HOA reserves and financials – as well as recent newsletters and Board meeting minutes – can hip you to upcoming special assessments before they take effect, and paying attention to (or researching) recent local ballot measures can do the same for the governmental special assessments.

Neighborhood Crime. Crime rates are essential indicators of neighborhood desirability, although blanket labels of ‘safe’ vs. ‘dangerous’ neighborhoods are outdated and unhelpful, when it comes to directing a house hunt. Most buyers familiar with their towns know on a basic level whether a neighborhood has a reputation for being safe or being crime-riddled. Further, if you are buying on a budget that strictly limits your overall neighborhood options, the black-and-white, safe-or-not dichotomy does nothing to help you make more nuanced decisions about your house hunt.

Now, though, buyers have open access to crime report databases that previously could only be accessed via tedious, time-consuming and generally infeasible hours spent flipping through police records down at the station. And the availability of these records online has empowered much more sophisticated and meaningful ways of sorting this data, for the purposes of the average home buyer.

Social Events. Savvy buyers might like to know whether their neighborhoods have social amenities like block parties, newsletters, email lists, homeowner resources for vendors like child care and handyman services, and even neighborhood-specific social networks:

• Review any HOA disclosures (if relevant), which may contain newsletters and other social information
• Ask your home’s seller and/or the homeowner’s association (HOA) management company,
• Google your neighborhood’s name and peruse the results.

Technological and communications capabilities.  When you’ve lived in one spot for a number of years, it’s easy to take your area’s technological capabilities for granted. For instance your provider(s) cell networks and reception capabilities (including 3G and 4G networks) might allow for incredible reception where you live, but not in another neighborhood across town. In fact, if you’re moving from a an urban area to a more rural one, you might be surprised at how spotty or non-existent cell service still is in some areas. In the same vein, many areas across the country are still waiting for the broadband and fiber optic cable infrastructure development that will allow residents to tap into digital television, phone and internet services.

Technological capabilities – or the lack thereof – are unlikely to be a deal-breaker if you’re planning to buy a home, but they are something that might help you prioritize among multiple neighborhoods or homes you’ve been considering.  Getting up to speed on what’s available can help you understand what additional changes you might have to make – and charges you might incur for making them – to optimize your technologies and services once you move. Contact your cell, cable, phone and internet providers to determine what’s available in your neighborhood-to-be; many of the major mobile carriers also have voice, data, 3G and 4G network coverage maps on their websites.

The Lawhead Team would like to share some tips on what to look for when you are searching for your next new home.

Many people can stage a house to look good from the surface but once their belongings are gone, the bones of the house still remain.  Here are some things to look for when you are considering buying a new home to make sure it is worth your investment.

Check out your neighborhood: Yes, your house is important, but the safety, location, and proximity to several amenities should be considered as well. Research nearby schools if you have children, as well as travel time to work, stores, and how your neighborhood is laid out. Feel just as comfortable with your neighborhood as your new home.

Finishes and materials: Once you know your price range, know what finishes are expected in your price point.  A less expensive home will use vinyl flooring, lower end carpet and possible plastic laminate counters in kitchen and baths. While higher end homes may use more resilient flooring such as tile and wood, and solid surfacing in kitchens, such as granite or slate. Knowing what is expected in your price category will help you determine if the home you’re looking at is a deal or not.

Kitchen appliances: One of the most expensive parts of homes are the appliances. The age, care, and condition of the kitchen appliances in the home will have a direct impact as to whether you will need to buy new ones, or if they will need to be serviced anytime soon. Go ahead… open the dishwasher!

Check out the ceiling: The ceiling is a telltale place for water spots to show from possible leaks and cracks from structural damage. Pay attention to cracks in drywall, wall surfaces, and where the ceiling meets the wall for warning signs.

Outdoor area of the home: Don’t forget to look at the roof, gutters, downspouts, and inspect the outdoor condition of the home. Especially older homes, try to find out from your Realtor or the previous homeowner when maintenance or replacements have been conducted in the past.

Bathroom amenities: Similarly to the kitchen, look at the bathroom plumbing fixtures, shower/tub to see what condition these amenities are in. For older homes, if you know you will need to do a remodel or renovation in the future, you should be prepared to know this reality when looking at the new home, not after you move in.

Major systems: Take a look at the heating/air conditioner unit, hot water heater, and other major systems in the house when looking at homes. These systems can be costly if they are left in disrepair for too long. While you may not need to look at these until you are settling on one specific house, its good to keep on your checklist.

Homeowner added amenities: For resale homes, many homeowners have already upgraded the home on their own. From adding a swimming pool and deck in the backyard to crown molding and built in cabinets in the living room. Most homeowners will state what upgrades they have put into the house, and what the approximate cost it was to upgrade. Use this information when comparing like properties in a similar neighborhood, city, etc…

Paper trail: Especially when buying a resale home, seek a paper trail, or a list of receipts and/or documents of repairs, upgrades, and services added to the home over the years. Similarly to buying a used car, the more informed you are, the more ideal buying a home from that individual will feel. Amenities in a home can be attractive, but if the homeowner can’t tell you who upgraded it and when, you may want to move on to the next house.

Looking for a new home is exciting but it can also be stressful and nerve racking.  Taking the time and care to make sure you find the perfect fit for you and your family will benefit you in the long run.  After all, a home is one of the best investments you can make.  Decide what amenities are most important and go from there when house hunting.

Inventory seems to be down in San Diego and buyers are out looking for homes.  If you have contemplated moving and need to sell your home, now is a great time to do it.  If you have been looking to upgrade to a nice better home, consider doing it today.

These last few years have definitely taken a toll on the housing market.  Those whom have wanted to downsize or upgrade into a different home have stayed on the sidelines because the market has been so unstable.  Especially with the economy on the roller coaster ride it has been on, many are just waiting for another economic bomb to drop.

That was a few years ago…the last few months have shown a pronounced shift in real estate within San Diego.  Buyers are now out and about and serious about finding a place to live and raise their families.  In addition, lender are getting it together and selling off the short sales that need to be sold.  Then there is the once in a lifetime low interest rates that are available to borrowers.  They don’t seem to be going any lower and buyers are rushing to take advantage of 30 years fixed rate loans.

Because the inventory of homes for sale in San Diego is at a critically low level, prices seem to have stabilized and buyers are out in record numbers. So what should you do? First consult with The Lawhead Team who can give you a current assessment of the market. Not only do you need to know what the potential value of your home is,you also need to discuss what you are going to do moving forward, if and when your home sells.

Many people in the move down mode are taking advantage of our current market conditions and are looking for their retirement home in areas that are still a sweet bargain for outsiders moving in. The Lawhead Team can help you receive information on properties all over the nation or all over the world so that you can consider your options.

For those who are staying in San Diego there are many move-up opportunities due to the affordability index being the best it’s been in years. While you will not necessarily be at the high point of the market and buying low like some who are moving out of the area, you will be buying at a time when interest rates may have enabled you to buy the home of your dreams at a monthly payment that is within your budget.

It costs you nothing to check out your options.  So take action. Contact The Lawhead Team and see if there is an opportunity out there with your name on it.