Liking the home you buy is paramount.  Being mindful of its resale potential is just as important.

Top 10 Bad Buys

1. Nicest Home on the Street.  Over-improved properties often have limited appreciation because surrounding homes don’t support the higher value.

2. Homes on or Backing to Busy Streets.  Traffic noise, safety concerns, and reduced privacy can limit buyer demand and resale appeal.

3. Homes Backing to Commercial Property.  Retail centers, apartments, office buildings, and even schools can introduce noise, lighting, and reduced privacy.

4. Homes Near Freeways or Major Roads.  Freeway proximity can bring constant noise, air quality concerns, and visual impacts.  In some cases, these locations may also attract more transient activity due to easy access routes.

If you notice a pattern with these first four items, you’re right. Both buyers and appraisers often place noise and location factors near the top of the least desirable property characteristics.

5. Homes With Poor Floor Plans.  Layout problems can be difficult and expensive to correct.  Examples include kitchens that are small, closed off, far from the garage, or have no view of the backyard.  Other concerns include front doors opening directly into living rooms without a proper entry, primary bedrooms located next to noisy living areas, little separation between bedrooms, or rooms that must be passed through to access other spaces.  Long narrow hallways can also make a home feel inefficient and dated.

6. Homes With Limited Backyard Use.  Tiny yards, steep slopes, or unusable outdoor areas can significantly reduce lifestyle appeal and resale value.  Also, yards with a “fishbowl” effect, where neighboring homes look into the yard, can impact privacy.

7. Severe or Unchangeable Issues.  Foundation problems, drainage issues, and structural concerns can be expensive and unpredictable to repair.  Other negative factors that cannot easily be changed include large power line towers, nearby railroad tracks, or homes located in flood zones.

8. Older Homes With Functional Obsolescence.  Some older homes simply don’t match modern living preferences.  Common issues include closed-off living areas, small or no garages, garages without interior access, too few bathrooms, outdated wiring or plumbing, and aging foundations that may require ongoing maintenance.

9. Flat Roof Homes.  Unless part of a newer modern design, flat roofs can raise concerns for some buyers.  From a curb appeal standpoint to potential water pooling and leak risks, they can also lead to higher insurance costs.  For many buyers, pitched roofs feel more familiar and reliable.

10. Parking Challenges.  Neighborhoods with heavy street parking can make visitor parking difficult.  Homes where nearby properties consistently park multiple vehicles in driveways or along the street can appear cluttered.  Visible oil stains, vehicles in disrepair, or dense parking patterns may cause some buyers to question overall neighborhood upkeep.

“You can change the home, but you can’t change the location.”

Top 10 Good Buys

1. The “Fixer” in a Great Neighborhood.  You’re buying below neighborhood value and can improve the property over time.  The surrounding homes support future appreciation.

2. The Dated Home With Good Bones.  Outdated paint, flooring, lighting, and kitchens scare some buyers but are relatively inexpensive to update.

3. Homes on Quiet Interior Streets.  Location within the neighborhood matters.  Interior streets typically have less traffic, less noise, and stronger resale demand.

4. Homes With Functional Floor Plans.  Layouts that flow well appeal to the widest group of buyers and maintain value better over time.  Fewer steps and stairs can also matter, and fewer levels can matter including step-downs to sunken rooms.

5. Homes With Privacy.  Private backyards, distance from neighbors, and limited overlooking homes increase desirability and resale appeal.

6. Homes With Good Lot Orientation.  Lots with usable outdoor space, good sunlight, and easy backyard access increase lifestyle value and resale appeal.

7. Homes Slightly Below Neighborhood Size or Finish.  You benefit from the value of surrounding homes without paying for the highest-priced property in the area.

8. Homes With Expandability.  Properties with room for additions, ADUs, or remodel potential offer future value opportunities.

9. Homes With Cosmetic Problems Only.  Paint, flooring, landscaping, lighting, and minor upgrades can dramatically improve appearance and value.

10.  Builder Owned or Homes Owned by Long-Term Careful Owners.  Builders who made improvements for themselves, often do it right and with quality.  Simply remodeling to flip is different.  And with long-term owners with homes that show pride of ownership, are often well maintained structurally even if stylistically outdated.

Condos and Townhouses.  End units are often the best choice versus interior units.  More natural light with side windows and fewer common walls.  Newer is better, and built as a condo or townhouse – not an apartment conversion.  Homeowner’s association strength is important.  Increased dues and future assessments can be costly and impact resale value

Tips When Buying

1. Unless Paying Cash, Get Pre Approved.  Get a pre approval letter from a reputable mortgage company, preferably local, so you know your limitations.  If you have a trusted source, this is often a good first step. Carrie Sanford at Bay Area Funding is a knowledgeable loan broker we recommend (925) 788-1029.
2. Online Searches.  Most home buyers go online to search for homes.  When doing searches, consider rounding high with your price range, and low with things like bedrooms, baths and home size.  We can explain in more detail, but to share a few examples: Searching for 4 or more bedrooms may eliminate some good homes that are 3 bedrooms and an office.  Lowering the minimum square feet in the home may result in homes that feel larger than homes with more square footage.  Single story homes often feel larger than 2 or 3 story home with the same square footage.
3. Must Haves.  The minimum number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet of living space and lot size are often examples of this.  But consider some leeway if possible to potentially include homes that can be altered. We can help with this.
4. Bonus Features.  A garden, a pool, a new kitchen, hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings are examples of parameters that can reduce the number of homes on a home search. Some items on the wish list can be done after moving in.  With vaulted ceilings as an example, a home with larger windows or slightly higher ceilings can sometimes suffice.
5. Educate Yourself.  Online searches are a good way to educate yourself to prices and neighborhoods.  Utilize the street view to see surrounding homes in the neighborhood.  Utilize the satellite view to see home positioning and it’s proximity to things such as busy roads.
6. Location is Still #1.  But what is a good location?  A home with a view….. but with freeway noise?  A home near a great school…..but has school traffic?   A great neighborhood…..but the home backs to a busy road?
7. Choosing the Right Home.  This is one of the reasons to use us.  It is not about how many homes we can recommend, it’s how many we won’t recommend.  We can be patient and so should you, but when it’s the right home, moving fast can be key.  Other buyers may discover the same thing about the home.  Coming in 2nd is tied for last.
8. Making the Offer. The goal as a start is to get your offer accepted at the lowest possible price, and a possession date that works.  Inspections and disclosures are important to review, and we have a great deal of experience with this.

Multiple Offers

1. Getting Your Offer Accepted Without Overpaying.  Your financial qualifications will play a role.  Our ability to know the number of competing offers will play a role.  And creating an offer that has terms the sellers are looking for can increase your odds.
2. Pre-Emptive Offers.  Getting an offer accepted before an offer date is another way go.  Easier said than done, but it can be an option.

Inspections & Escrow

1. Your Best Interest.  Once your offer is accepted, it is still prudent to investigate further.  You might think the home looks great, but sometimes things are not as they seem.  We will help you identify factors that can impact value and the comforts you expect.  

(925) 915-8300 

GT@HomeFox.com