Buyer Beware!

Prospective buyers in Bryan and College Station need to take several things into consideration when looking at homes. Focusing on resale value from the very start will definately put you in the drivers seat when selling later down the road. Many buyers come into the market not looking at their purchase from this perspective and suffer later down the road.

Things to consider:

1) How long do you plan on living in this particular home? Obviously, plans change frequently, but this is the first thing to consider. If you are planning on a stay two years or less you may want to rethink your purchase. Don't get me wrong, I'm not big on paying a landlords mortgage, however, though I've helped many clients get out breaking even after a year or two the general concensis is that you will probably, at best, break even and potentially even loose money.

2) Love the new home smell and feel? It won't be new when you sell the property! Looking at both new and resale homes is the best policy. Remember that many times the resale properties are under pressure due to the brand new homes. Everyone wants that perfect property, and with either a new or resale their will be pluses and minuses. Think these through carefully. Remember that when you go to sell this property it will be competing with new properties.

3) Carefully choosing your neighborhood can pay off! (or location, location, location!) Drive around the neighborhoods (or take a tour with a great Realtor) and see what each neighborhood in your price range offers. Amenities can make or break your sale down the road. No pool in the neighborhood? Currently it's not a deal breaker here in Bryan or College Station, a few years down the road it could hurt. Many new neighborhoods are being built with pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and other elements that aren't necessarily common here in the Brazos Valley. Competition in the coming years could be stiff between your house and these!

4) No price reduction can compensate for a bad floorplan! Look for resale value when you buy. Do you really dislike the tiny living room and micromini master bath? Then move on unless what you are seeing is common in your price range. One of my buyers was truly attracted to a house. Despite the contemporary exterior (not a resale plus here in the College Station), it had the makings of a phenominal home when you first walk in. Large kitchen, beautiful fireplace, raised ceilings...then we walked into the master bath...sunken tub, one sink, tiny closet. The floorplan didn't flow well either. With further research we found that the property had been listed before and hadn't sold after quite a few price reductions and many days on the market.

5) Consider the school district whether you have children that will attend it or not! You might not care that the schools that serve the neighborhood aren't that good. When you go to sell, it might make or break the deal. That being said remember that school districts and schools can change. Even the school zoning that your home is in can (and around here, probably will) change.

Though my crystal ball is broken there are indications on how certain neighborhoods, home style and areas will do. Take these things into consideration and make your purchase a solid one!

Need a great buyers agent or just want to learn more about Bryan/College Station real estate? Come to my website at www.ChrisTesch.com.