Personal
Location
Location is usually the principal factor affecting the value of a house. Generally, the closer the city the higher the price. Other factors include the scenic aspect (trees, proximity to water, hills), quality of homes in the neighbourhood, and proximity to schools, shops and transport.
Factors to consider when choosing a location include:
- age and quality of surrounding homes
- is the popularity of the suburb rising or falling?
- the proximity of public parks and gardens, and whether they are well looked after
- adequacy of street lighting and general neighbourhood safety
- easy access to public transport, but watch out for excessive noise (eg. you don’t want to back on to the railway track, or be on a major flight path)
- the proximity to schools, shops, recreational facilities and other services can have a major impact on your quality of life if you have to make frequent trips. It all depends on your preferred lifestyle.
You also need to consider aspects of the particular property you are buying, such as:
- is the block prone to flooding or have other drainage issues?
- will the yard enjoy winter sun, and is there sufficient shade in summer?
- is the yard private?
- what views does the property enjoy, and can they be built out in future?
- is there room to extend the house in future?
- is there potential to sub-divide the property?
|
 |
