Why do we, as real estate agents, drill into our buyers that, “location, location, location” is everything? We do this because it’s true – and will probably always be true. Why does it matter so much? Because wherever you decide to buy a home is where you are going to sell a home – and a good location typically makes for a solid long-term investment.

What makes a good location? If you’re thinking about buying a home, here are five location characteristics to consider on your search:

A Safe Neighborhood                                                                          

The majority of people want to feel safe in their home, they want to interact with their neighbors and they want their children to be able to play outside. All of these things have one thing in common: a safe neighborhood with low crime rates. You can go to Trulia.com to determine the crime rates of different neighborhood. Keep this in mind on your search.

Good School District

The better the school district your home is zoned for, the higher the value of the home. Families with children, and even those without, often search for a home based on the school district. Always buy a home thinking of resale – future buyers love good school districts, and probably always will.

Local Businesses (Shops, Restaurants, etc.)

Convenience is a must to many homebuyers. In general, they like to have a grocery store and restaurants within close proximity. And keep in mind, the closer you are to local businesses and amenities, the greater your home value.

Views with Great Outdoor Space

What’s better than a home with a view and great outdoor space? If you said “not much,” most other people would agree with you. To top it off, most homebuyers will pay extra for a home with a great view – these include parks, golf courses, water views and more!

Access to Transportation (public transits, freeways)

People who commute to work prefer to have their home located close to a subway or public transportation system. For cities with subpar public transit (as is often within many communities in DFW), consider the home’s access to highways and freeway systems before purchasing. Future homebuyers don’t want to spend 20 minutes of their commute just getting to the highway so take this in consideration.

It’s in your best interest to keep these in mind when looking to purchase a property. A home with these five characteristics will help your resale value when it comes times to sell your home. And as a general rule of thumb: always think like a future seller or home buyer when purchasing a home!

Do you have any questions about good locations to search for a home in the Grapevine, Southlake or Colleyville areas? Give us a call; we would be happy to provide guidance.