Jennifer LeBow

Post-Covid Home Buyer Needs

November 30, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

philadelphia main line relocation — what post-covid home buyers want

How COVID has affected home buyer needs

The pandemic has caused a shift in what home buyers are looking for. We’ve seen major changes in commuting requirements. We’ve witnessed the home having to do double and triple duty as school, office, gym, playground and entertainment hub. We’ve experienced house hunters completely redefining their criteria and scope of their home searches.

Wider search area

When commuting to a specific location in order to work is no longer necessary, the geographical boundaries of a home search disappear. In many cases, as long as there is an internet connection (and perhaps not too great a difference in time zone), people can work from literally anywhere. Consider the magnitude of increase in the options for purchasing a house! If you could live anywhere, the possibilities are nearly endless. Even school district might become less important if your children could participate in an on line school program.

Research and education

If, suddenly, the boundaries of a home search expand almost infinitely, it’s “a whole new world”. Buyers can now choose a location based on lifestyle and preferences. Do they like to ski? want to be somewhere warm? crave a rural setting? want to live near family or close friends? envision life in a college town? Now that all of these locales may be possible, buyers have created a job for themselves. They need to do their due diligence as far as educating themselves through research. All of those choices can be a double-edged sword in that making an informed decision requires much more time and effort.

Tasks the home needs to support

In this COVID world, and likely beyond, tasks that used to happen elsewhere are now taking place at home. Office space (with privacy for phone and video calls), school study space, indoor and outdoor exercise and recreation/entertainment space are all in demand. Finally, more buyers are considering having space for aging parents. If buyers are less likely to relocate (for work), future concerns play a bigger role in their home buying decisions. Not only have the parameters of where home is have changed, but what (activities) the home needs to support have changed, too.

Long term residency

Historically, people have accepted that they might need to move several times during their lives in response to job and other changes. For people who can work from home indefinitely, they are starting to think more long term. For example, there has been an increase in the number of people moving back to where their parents are. They’d like to be there for (and, possibly house) aging parents and ensure that the grandchildren know their grandparents. Again, if they are unlikely to have to move for their careers, they can make home buying decisions from a more long term perspective. The idea of putting down roots somewhere has become possible for more people. One result of this long term view is that people are more willing to stretch their budgets. Resale is less of an issue if the goal is to remain in the house for a longer period of time. Moving costs also disappear or are reduced.

Convertible space

When you combine the various roles a house has to play (office, school, gym) with the potential for it to be a long term home, one home feature becomes clear: it must have convertible space. An office that converts to a guest space, or a homework area that, once the kids are grown and gone, doubles as a work out area….buyers are going to be asking more from their homes. The layout must be conducive to serving different purposes as needs shift. Additionally, I expect to see more people finishing basements and enclosing porches and patios.

At the time of this writing, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. No one can accurately predict who/how many will return to a traditional “on site” work environment. Nor can anyone know whether on line school options (through public schools. These people will likely have a revised set of criteria for their home search as far as location and features. It will be interesting to see how home buying patterns shift and whether these shifts will be permanent or temporary, once the pandemic has passed.

10 Common Home Seller Mistakes

November 22, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Mistakes sellers commonly make

Selling a house is a complex process and there are many potential pitfalls along the way. While no “one-size-fits-all” approach makes sense, there are certain errors you want to be sure to avoid. Sometimes, you may receive feedback from your agent or a prospective buyer that is not positive. It’s hard not to feel criticized, but try to channel that feedback into an improvement. Remember, the goal is to get the house sold.

Bad pictures

More than ever (and this trend will only continue), the on line pictures and videos of a property are a buyer’s first impression. If they are poor quality or don’t showcase the house well, the negative impact is enormous. Keep in mind that no matter how nice it is in person, if the pictures don’t convey its appeal, buyers won’t make an appointment to come see it. It’s worth the few hundred dollars to get the best professional photography available.

Shipshape Condition

While it can be a pain to keep everything clean and tidy, it’s a must when selling your house. Make sure the windows are clean, the carpets have been professionally shampooed, every light bulb is working (and is the highest wattage the fixture will take) and it is as clutter-free as possible. Take all of those magnets and kids’ drawings off the fridge. Put away lots of the tchotchkes on side tables. Try to remove as much of your personal items to make it look spacious and to allow a buyer to envision his own belongings in the space. Note: don’t forget odors. Cooking and pet smells are a turn-off and perfumey candles or plug-in scent diffusers are no better.

Don’t ignore necessary repairs

Look, with a critical eye, at your home and property. Note anything that a buyer might see as a problem requiring repair. Touch up any paint that needs it. Fix that drawer that doesn’t close properly. Make sure the gutters are all hung correctly and aren’t overflowing with leaves. Trim those bushes that infringe on the walkway to the front door. Obviously, there are some potential buyer objections (like a dated kitchen) that it wouldn’t make financial sense to remedy. Those negatives should be reflected in the price of the home. Sometimes it’s hard to make a judgment call; if you have carpet with stains, is replacing it worth the investment? Discuss the potential obstacles with your agent.

Don’t ignore the costs to selling

You will have commission, transfer tax, title fees, moving costs, use and occupancy certificates, possible credits due to home inspection issues–don’t underestimate these costs. When you price your house (and when you review any offer), your focus should be on your net proceeds. Net proceeds takes into account all the fees you will owe and buyer credits you may have to provide, so it’s the net amount that matters. Be sure you are clear on all the fees involved in selling.

Don’t be emotionally invested

Yes, this is a hard one; after all, it’s your home! But understand that this is a business transaction and having hurt feelings because a buyer said they’d “have to paint” over the mural you painstakingly created in your son’s room serves no purpose. It’s simply a matter of personal taste and is not intended to be an insult. There is plenty of stress that comes with listing and selling a house. Do yourself a favor and don’t make it worse by being emotionally invested.

Don’t make showings difficult

If at all possible, when a buyer requests an appointment, say “yes”. If you’re difficult about getting out of the house for showings, some buyers will miss seeing your house and choose from one of the others they have been able to visit. Part of being able to agree to (especially short notice) appointments is to keep it in showing condition. Don’t let it become a pig-sty and then say you need a day to clean it up before anyone can show it. Also, do NOT remain on the property for showings. It makes the buyers uncomfortable. Similarly, unless you feel it’s truly necessary, do NOT have your own agent present. All the research has demonstrated that buyers spend less time in a house and feel less able to explore it when either the seller or the seller’s agent is present.

Don’t overlook terms of an offer

When considering an offer, recognize that the terms may be just as important as the net proceeds. Look at the settlement date. Consider the deposit amounts and timing. Pay attention to the elected contingencies (and length of time for buyers to conduct their due diligence)–are the buyers electing every possible contingency? What does that mean to you? Be sure to discuss the offer with your agent, being sure you understand how the terms affect the potential sale.

Don’t neglect to disclose

While you may be tempted to not mention the leak from the bathroom that you fixed, don’t omit it from the disclosure. Why? Well, first of all, if the inspector notes it and you are asked about it, the buyer will immediately assume you have hidden or, worse, lied about other issues. Second, if a problem is discovered after closing that relates to a situation you did not disclose, you could be facing a lawsuit. Finally, it’s actually in your best interest to disclose as much as possible when it comes to negotiating the inspections. If you’ve disclosed the basement gets a tiny bit of water in heavy rain, for example, the buyer doesn’t have a leg to stand on as far as asking for it to be remedied. He was aware of that problem when he agreed to the purchase.

Don’t reject a pre-listing inspection

While there may be certain situations in which a pre-listing inspection is not a good idea, I believe they are few and far between. Yes, you are required to disclose anything you find, so many sellers shy away from them. No one relishes having to provide a list of problems with his house. However, consider what that list accomplishes.

It demonstrates you are honest and not trying to hide anything, which can go a long way with buyers.
It acts as a disclosure, weakening the buyer’s negotiating position on any of those items. (See the paragraph above for more on that topic.)
It protects you from unwelcome surprises discovered by a buyer’s inspections. If you already know that the heater is broken and the roof needs repairing, when you accept an offer, you know that those issues are already known by both parties. If they are discovered later and you have to provide a credit to the buyer, your net proceeds will be less than you’d expected. So the pre-listing inspection lets you more accurately predict your final take home amount. Similarly, it reduces the likelihood of the transaction falling through as a result of inspection issues that can’t be successfully negotiated.
It allows you the opportunity to fix glaring problems which improves the condition of the house. Buyers like to see that you’ve repaired problems. What many people do is leave a copy of the inspection report on a table in the house with notations about which items have been addressed.
It often convinces a buyer not to take the time (or money) to do a separate inspection, so the deal isn’t in limbo during what could be a two-week inspection period. If the buyer waives inspections, you can be sure the deal is locked in much sooner after accepting an offer.

Don’t overprice

Let’s be honest. This mistake is the most common one. Sometimes, a seller overprices a property because she genuinely thinks her house is worth more than what the market values it at. In this case, please, please, listen to your agent and discuss comparables with her. Another reason homes are overpriced is a seller’s decision to price it high with this thought process: “Someone can always offer me less and this gives me room to negotiate.” While that statement is not untrue, the fact is that people don’t even come to see overpriced houses. They look at them on line and feel that, for the asking price, they can get better value elsewhere. You’re more likely to receive competing offers (which drives the price up) when you price appropriately because you generate more interest.

What’s included in your monthly payment?

November 10, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

If you are buying a house, you need to be crystal clear about your monthly payment and what is included (and what’s not).

What comprises my mortgage payment?

For the purpose of this explanation, I am including real estate taxes and home owner’s insurance as part of the payment. However, it is NOT necessary to roll those fees into your monthly payment. If you prefer, you can pay them in lump sums as the bills come due. Most people prefer to have a consistent monthly payment, though, for budgeting reasons. This inclusive payment is referred to as a PITI payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance. Note: closing costs are higher with a PITI payment as the bank escrows extra money to be sure there’s enough in the account to pay those tax and insurance bills in full when they come due.

Principal

The mortgage payment amount is possibly the most important factor for most home buyers in determining their housing budget. But not everyone is clear on what that monthly payment includes. For starters, it will always include your principal payment. The principal is the portion of the total loan amount that you are paying off. As you reduce the principal, you gain equity in the home. Be aware that while the principal/interest payment remains the same, the amount going to each category does not: at the beginning of the loan, a much larger portion of your payment is going toward interest. Later (say, around 20 years in), much more of it is going toward principal. It’s important to understand that as, in the event you sell the house very soon after buying it, you may have not effectively reduced what you owe on the principal.

Interest

Banks don’t lend you money because they are nice. Providing mortgages is a business. The interest is the part that the lender charges for lending you the money. It’s important to shop around for the best rate when you are getting ready to buy a house.

Mortgage Insurance

If you have borrowed more than 80% of the value of the house, you will also pay mortgage insurance (an extra fee). If it’s a conventional loan (as opposed to an FHA loan), the mortgage insurance will be temporary. It disappears once you’ve paid down the principal to the point that you have 20% equity in the property.

Real Estate Taxes

Real estate taxes include school, county and municipal taxes and they tend to increase slightly each year. Be sure to look at the taxes on any property you are interested in to calculate how much you need to budget to cover them. When you include your taxes in your monthly payment, the tax bills should be sent directly to the lender who pays the bill in full when it is due. It’s always wise to confirm with your lender that tax bills are being received (and paid) as you are responsible for them as far as the IRS is concerned.

Homeowner’s Insurance

If you have a mortgage, the bank will require you to carry home owner’s insurance. Depending on the coverage you select, and if you bundle it will car insurance, etc. rates will vary. Be careful when deciding on a policy that you are clear about the premium, deductible and coverage. Also, if the house is in a federal flood zone, you may be required to carry additional flood insurance. Your agent can tell you if the property is in a FEMA flood zone.

Other monthly fees to budget for

If the property you are buying has a condo or home owner’s association (HOA) fee, be sure to budget for that. These fees are not incorporated into your mortgage payment, but you need to be sure to earmark money for those bills. Your utilities are another monthly cost, though it varies month to month. Some utility providers offer plans that allow you to pay a flat fee every month (an average of your yearly usage) so that it’s easier for budgeting purposes. Finally, don’t forget that, as a home owner, there will be required maintenance. Most estimates range around 2-3% a year of the initial cost of the property. For more on home maintenance costs, see here and here.

Evaluating school districts when you are relocating

November 8, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Understanding how school ranking websites arrive at their ratings is key to interpreting their results.

Why does school district matter?

Relocating is disruptive. There. I said it. There are so many things to consider and decisions to be made. Choosing where to look for a home is one of the first hurdles you’ll face. As a relocation specialist in the Philadelphia area, I work with buyers moving here from out of the area. While commute and style/size of the house and property obviously all come into play, school district is often the most important criteria. Even if you have no children or won’t be sending them to public school, the school district matters. Why? Because school district is closely tied to value. In the Philadelphia area, for example, it is arguably the primary indicator of value.

How do you evaluate a school district?

Evaluating a school district requires a lot of research as well as a clear understanding of the criteria any ranking is based on. As far as research, there are several websites that provide school rankings and ratings. The most popular ones are:

greatschools.org
schooldigger.com
niche.com
publicschoolreview.com

While, since the ratings are based on data, it may seem that they are objective and, therefore, reliable indicators of how “good” a school is, be sure to examine that data. For example, greatschools.org, the most visited school ranking site, weights proficiency (based on test scores) at 45%. Proficiency rates do not measure progress a student makes during the year, though. If a school has many foreign students, for example, they may be less proficient upon matriculation than other students due to a language barrier. Growth in student progress is now a criteria, but at about 25%. So be sure to understand what criteria are being used to rate any school or school district.

What rankings don’t measure

How about non-quantitative criteria, like variety of class choice, or arts and music offerings? Number of clubs and organizations and sports choices might be important to you, but you won’t see those things reflected in the rankings. For many parents, the communication between faculty, staff and students’ families is paramount, but, again, there is no rating for that aspect of a school’s performance. While student teacher ratios are included in the information available, are they figured into a ranking? If so, how?

Perhaps the most reliable indicator of which high schools produce the most students with a high level of college preparedness may be determined less by the school than by the student population. Consider that most high performing schools are in affluent areas with high home values. Typically, people who can afford to live in those neighborhoods have more education than those living in low-income areas. When parents value education, those kids tend to be better academic performers. And, again, usually, well-educated parents have more money to pay for tutors, extra-curricular programs and other advantages to college entrance. So, while I don’t mean to downplay the value that a school/teacher/curriculum can have, it’s important to recognize that you may not be comparing apples to apples. as far as the students whose success is being measured.

What other research can you do?

If you are curious about some of the intangibles I mentioned previously (teacher-parent communication, quality of an art program), there are a few other resources. One of the best is social media. Every region has facebook groups for parents. Find a few in the region you are moving to and see what people are saying. Ask questions–you may be surprised at how many people respond. This research method is especially useful as you may be able to connect with other parents who have kids with similar interests or challenges. Then, you can better understand how a school might fit your specific child. Click here and here for additional info. To better understand school district boundaries and which areas are districted to which schools, click here and here. For an interactive Main Line school district boundary map, click here.

If you are relocating to the Philadelphia/Main Line area, please go to my blog page and search for posts using the relocation tag. Contact me to discuss your Philadelphia area relocation! jen@jenniferlebow.com/610 308-5973

How sellers can prepare for a home inspection

October 18, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

home inspection Main Line Philadelphia relocation — If you are selling your house, here are some tips that will help you avoid unpleasant surprises that could affect your bottom line on the sale of your house.

How the home inspection can affect the sale of your house

If you are selling your home and have signed a purchase agreement with a buyer, you are probably somewhat relieved. The house is under contract and the pressure is off; you will settle and collect your proceeds. Or maybe not….if the buyers have not yet completed their inspections, you could end up having to renegotiate (and spend money on repairs or a buyer credit), or, worse, the entire deal could fall apart. What can you do to reduce the likelihood of an inspection derailing the deal? The easiest answer is to discover any issues ahead of time by having a pre-listing inspection. Then, you are aware of the issues the buyer will find and you can either repair them or disclose them. If they are repaired, the concern is eliminated. If you choose not to make repairs, but you disclose any problems, the buyer must acknowledge those problems when agreeing to the purchase. In that scenario, it’s less likely the buyer will walk away from the deal or ask for a credit or repairs.

Not all sellers have a pre-listing inspection

Sometimes, home owners choose not to have a pre-listing inspection. They are expensive, for one. Another reason is that the seller is required to disclose any defects found by the inspectors. Some sellers worry that buyers will be turned off if they know that the house has some maintenance or repair concerns. In some cases, sellers are in a hurry to list and don’t want to take the time to have an inspection done. Whatever the reason, pre-listing inspections are not always performed.

If you are not inspecting prior to listing

If you decide not to have a pre-listing inspection, I would strongly advise doing your own inventory of the “health” of your home. You want to reduce the number/severity of defects any inspections will turn up. Note: the following suggestion focus on the kind of items an inspector would note–safety concerns or material defects. This article is not meant to address cleaning, clutter removal or staging which all contribute to improving the way your home shows, but are not within the scope of an inspection.

Inspect (or have inspected) your roof, gutters and downspouts. Gutters should be cleaned and gutters and downspouts should be in good repair and not leaking.
Have your HVAC maintained/serviced and given a clean bill of health, if possible.
Check every sink, faucet, and drain to ensure there are no slow or leaking drains and that the faucets don’t drip after being turned off.
Make sure all kitchen appliances work– do all the burners on the stove light? does the dishwasher leak? , does the garbage disposal work?
Open all windows, make sure they stay up and close and lock properly. If a window is painted shut, see if you can get it to open. If screens are torn, have them repaired.
If possible, have an electrician evaluate your system. Electrical problems like double taps, reverse polarity outlets, exposed wires and missing GFCI outlets are commonly found on inspection reports.
Make sure any railings are tight and don’t pose a safety hazard.
Outside, check for any missing or damaged siding or stone work that needs pointing. Also, any loose stones or pavers that could be a tripping hazard should be addressed. Look for rot around windows and call a carpenter if the wood is soft. If you have stucco, I’d strongly recommend you have it inspected before the buyer does.
If you have a well or septic system, you might choose to have them pre-inspected. These tests are expensive and results can take over a week, but they are costly systems; if you have any indication either of these might be in poor condition, you might want to know ahead of time.

Think about a pre-listing inspection. If you decide against it, I’d recommend walking around your property, inside and out and taking a critical look at the kinds of things the buyer’s inspector will be examining. Providing copies of any inspections or receipts for service can go far in quelling a buyers’ worries about the condition of the property. It demonstrates you are not hiding anything and that you are committed to conveying the house in good condition. Moreover, any inspection (yours or a professional one) will help you manage your expectations, especially in terms of expected net proceeds.

When to walk away from buying that house

October 4, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

When should you walk away?

It’s very active out there in world of residential real estate right now. In my neck of the woods, the greater Philadelphia region, there are lots of buyers looking for homes. Multiple offers are quite common. With such competition, it might seem foolish for a buyer who is under contract to walk away from the transaction. It does happen, though. When and why? Here are some scenarios:

Buyer’s remorse

Especially in a multiple offer situation, you may become caught up in the frenzy of bidding and then feel like you’ve made a mistake. You may wake up the next morning feeling like the price you agreed to is simply more than the value of the property. You may also question some of the terms of the contract that you chose in order to win the bid. For example, you may have waived inspections or appraisal and now find you are not comfortable with those decisions.

Due diligence discoveries

During your due diligence, you might discover information about the neighborhood that affects your interest level in the property. For example, a downward trend in home values or plans for a new commercial building to be built very nearby could affect your decision to purchase. Similarly, your research on schools and or commuting time/method could change your mind about buying the property. Any of these concerns could convince you to walk away.

By far, the most common reason people terminate a contract is inspection issues. Problems with the property itself–a failed septic system, widows requiring replacement, systems at end of life stages, knob and tube wiring, etc. are the kinds of thing an inspection may illuminate. If you feel the house is a “money pit” and fear there will be all kinds of costs you didn’t budget for and repairs you aren’t interested in making, you might choose to terminate the deal. Often, buyers in this situation provide the seller with a “Reply to Inspection” detailing what they’d like the seller to repair or how much of a cash credit they’d like. If the buyer and seller can’t agree, the buyer often chooses to walk away.

Seller attitude

Sometimes, sellers come across as aggressive, uncooperative, or, worse, unethical. In this situation, buyers may decide that interacting with these kinds of sellers isn’t worth it. Not only does this kind of seller attitude make the transaction more stressful, but it can have residual effects post-sale. Decide if the seller’s behavior is a reason to cancel the contract. (Note: Buyers may only be able to have their deposit money returned if they terminate within the time frames the contract stipulates, so make sure you understand your financial risk.)

Gut

Choosing to buy should be based on analysis of the tangible features as well as an emotional response to the home. You will want to have determined that the number of bedrooms, condition, property size, square footage, etc. meet your needs. It’s never a good idea to buy a home just because it’s charming or on a great street if it doesn’t suit your family’s lifestyle. However, don’t focus so much on being sure the list of requirements is met that you forget to note your visceral response. You will want to feel like you could see yourself living here and calling it home. If, once you have signed a contract, your gut starts speaking to you, listen. If it’s telling you it’s time to walk away, it might be right.

Buying a home can be a stressful undertaking. Even in the best transactions, there are moments of doubt. That uncertainty comes with the territory, as it’s a huge financial commitment and no house is perfect. Most people who enter into a contract to buy a home follow it through and are glad they did. Walking away from a purchase should happen only under certain circumstances, some of which are discussed above. Buying a home is a big decision. It’s important, throughout the process, to check that you are still on the best path.

Spinach Souffle Recipe

September 30, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Jen LeBow’s Spinach Souffle

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In large frying pan, saute:

2 packages chopped frozen spinach, broken up

Drain well.

Add and cook another couple of minutes:

3T butter

2 minced garlic cloves

3 T diced scallion

Toss with spinach mixture in very large bowl:

1 ¼ cups ricotta

¼ c grated parmesan

½ cup heavy cream

3 beaten eggs

Dash salt

Dash nutmeg

Transfer mixture to 8×8 Pyrex baking dish. Sprinkle top with parmesan.

Bake 50 minutes.

How to choose a neighborhood on Philadelphia’s Main Line

September 20, 2020 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

You’re strongly considering a move to the Main Line. You may have heard that the public (and private) schools are great and that the landscape is beautiful. You might have looked on line and seen stone homes that drip curb appeal. Your commute, if you have one, could be reasonable from many Main Line communities. So how do you narrow down which areas you should consider for a home purchase?

Location

The first step is to learn a little bit about the different towns along the Main Line and what factors you should consider when choosing a location. Since location always comes first in real estate, let’s tackle that subject. You’ll want to know how easy/quick it is to get to where you want to go, whether that’s work, the airport, your sister’s house, Whole Foods, the playground, etc. For some people, school district is very important as well. Many buyers want to be near the train. Look at the map: it will show you where the highways and main arteries are. Are you worried about noise? You should plan to steer away from homes very close to them.

Zeroing in on the smaller, more immediate neighborhood (like the street/block a home is on), what is important to you? Being able to push a stroller or walk your dog? What about how much interaction there is among the neighbors? Some streets have block parties, babysitting swaps or book clubs.

Cost

Obviously, you can’t buy a house if it’s outside of your budget. Beyond that, though, ask your agent what values are doing in a specific neighborhood. Rising? Falling? Are people tearing down and rebuilding or putting on additions? That sort of information may give you a glimpse into how the neighborhood might be changing over time. You also want to know the current range of values there. It’s never a good idea to purchase the most expensive house in the neighborhood, unless resale is not important. Another hidden cost which can be tied to the neighborhood is the tax burden. Be sure to know what that looks like, along with any HOA fee that may exist.

Home style and acreage

Some streets have houses that were built as part of a development (even 50 years ago) and have a similar feel. Split levels, for example might dominate certain areas, while stone colonials may be much more common in another neighborhood. As far as lot size, there is usually less difference between different properties on the same street due to zoning regulations. For example, if you’re looking for a larger parcel, then certain Main Line neighborhoods might not work for you, even if you find a house you like there. If you want your kids to play with the neighbors’ kids and easily go from one house to the next, you might want to avoid neighborhoods with big lots.

How does the neighborhood/house feel?

I always tell my buyers that the most successful home purchases are the ones that were arrived at both analytically and emotionally. What I mean, is that the quantifiable criteria, like number of bedrooms, square footage, distance from work, etc. need to be met or you are likely to experience buyer’s remorse. Just because a house is charming, it doesn’t mean it will meet your needs. Charm can wear off quickly, if the layout/size/location don’t work well for your family. Conversely, leave room in your decision-making process for the visceral “this feels like home” reaction. Pay attention to how it feels riding down the street as well as in the house and on the property.

Who would my neighbors be?

This question, usually an innocent one, is asked of me by almost every buyer. Please understand, that, according to the Realtor’s Code of Ethics, we as agents are not permitted to discuss age, race, family type, or any other protected class information. Some people are specifically looking for diversity, while others don’t want to be the only __________ family on the block. Usually, the question revolves around whether there are kids on the block. Again, it’s usually asked with no bad intent. I recommend driving around the neighborhood and looking for play equipment, basketball hoops, kids’ bikes or chalked driveways if you want to know about kids. If demographics about education and income are important to you, there is data available on line. Also, the particular set of neighbors on the block at any moment is simply the people who live there currently. There’s no way to know who might live there five years from now.