Longwood Homes For Sale

How to Spot Bad Neighbors When Buying a House

After months of looking, you've finally found the house of your dreams. It's the perfect size, the perfect price, and the perfect layout. However, there's only one small problem. You think you might be living next door to a neighbor, or a neighboring property, that's less than desirable.

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How do you know? The grass in the yard is knee-high, there's a rusty vehicle peeking out of some overgrown brush, and the house's paint is peeling away like old wallpaper. As a result, you're torn. Is a lousy neighbor going to make the house more difficult to sell when you're ready to move again?

This is an important question to ask when buying a house , and there's a one word answer for it: Yes. When you're shopping for a home, even a fantastic house is going to seem blighted if it's plopped right next door to a lousy neighbor. You may love the place, but most buyers are going to shy away from the property, which means selling could be a long, complicated affair.

Remember, the old adage "location, location, location" is around for a reason. You can always change a house, but you can't change its location. Ignoring the neighborhood, and your neighbors, is one of the most common common home buying mistakes you can make, especially if you're a first-time home buyer. And, bad neighbors can come in many guises. What should you look for?

How to Spot Bad Neighbors

1. Property Upkeep

First, look for signs of disrepair and neglect. Make sure you look at all the homes surrounding your potential buy, as well as homes down the street and behind your property. Look for uncut grass, garbage and other clutter left in the yard, and weedy flowerbeds. Also, look closely at the homes and buildings around you. If they look like they're hurting for some love and care, that could be a red flag. The neighborhoods in your price range might be full of modest, older homes, but the yards and the exteriors of the homes should indicate pride of ownership.

2. People

Who wants to listen to yet another frat party at 2am Friday morning? Bad neighbors don't just neglect their property; they can also have no consideration for other people in the neighborhood. If you're buying in a college town, or in a neighborhood where there are already lots of rentals, be aware that you might have to listen to more than your fair share of loud music and late night parties. Inspect the neighborhood during the day, and make sure to also drive around the neighborhood at night.

Alaqua Lakes - Longwood- Homes for sale

Palm Beach inspired...Grand Showcase Home oozes curb appeal. Massive stately columns grace the two-story Grand Foyer and Living Room with soaring ceilings, dramatic staircase and spectacular floor to ceiling windows. Direct views of the golf course, fairways and lavish pool area. You will be entertaining in "Grand Florida Style" with the resort style pool with multiple waterfalls, walkways, summer kitchen and cabana. All 1st floor rooms open to this massive entertaining area complete with tropical foliage, lush palm trees and accent lighting. Brand new Gourmet Kitchen with Center Island, Cherry Wood Cabinetry, Hardwood Floors, Granite Counters, Recessed Lighting and Crown Moulding. Separate Breakfast Nook. 500 bottle Wine Cellar and Wet Bar accent the Family Room. This spectacular home has over 6600 SF of living space including 4 bedrooms each with their own baths, plus separate Office/Library which could be used as a 5th bedroom. Master Bedroom Suite has 2 sided fireplace and separate seating area as well as luxury bath with huge walk-in closet. Alaqua is a Private Gated Golf Community with 24/7 security within close proximity to the area's finest shoppes, malls, dining and cultural events. Recently rebuilt Club House with fine dining. This home is available for immediate occupancy and quick closing. Copyright © 2011 Mid Florida MLS. All rights reserved. Information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program of Mid Florida MLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Charles Rutenberg Realty are marked with the IDX logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing broker. Information provided is for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information last updated on 7/2/11 10:16 AM PDT.

This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2011.

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