I've just gotten back from vacation!  And while vacation is wonderful, it's also great to be home!

Recently some clients who are almost ready to buy a home sat down with me to talk about what they should look for and what they should avoid in a home.  In my opinion, not enough buyers take the time to do this kind of planning. While it may not seem to make much of a difference up front, knowing what to avoid in a home can make a difference when you're ready to sell. As I tell my clients, if you plan to live in the home for the rest of your life, no need to worry about resale.  Otherwise, though, it's important to give this some serious thought.

So, a quick list of what you'll want to avoid when buying a home. Note that this list is based on our area of Virginia.  Real estate is always, always local!  The list will be different in other localities and other states.

Avoid properties on busy roads.

Avoid split foyers.

Avoid properties with wood/cedar siding.

Avoid homes with less than 3 bedrooms (4 is even better).

Avoid homes with less than 2 bathrooms.

Avoid homes in areas with undesirable businesses. (Don't buy a house next to the landfill!)

These are the basics. If you're in the market to buy and you'd like to sit down for a longer discussion of this subject BEFORE you get that big mortgage, give me a call at 540-270-2742 or e-mail me at Julie@JulieEmery.com  I'd love to hear from you!