A. Aside from liking the location and layout of a home, you want to be aware of issues that could affect your overall quality of life in the home. Issues to consider pertain to:
- Insurability – check with your insurance agent to pull up an insurance claims history on the home because homes where high amounts of claims have been made could affect your ability to either get insurance on the home or the insurance rate that you pay.
- Average monthly utility rates – contact your local utility to see what average monthly utilities are. Be cognizant of the fact that if the home is vacant that it could have lower than average utility bills. Also, understand that the previous owner’s personal preference and comfort have a bearing on the bills as well.
- Location – Location of the home in an area that has a propensity to flood or located near a hazardous materials site.
- Master development plan – you want to contact your local government to see if any master development planning has occurred that could affect your area – new homes, new roads, etc.
- Permits – If the home is listed as remodeled/renovated by the listing agent, search the permits that have been registered with the local jurisdiction to make certain that the owner adhered to all regulations and building codes.
- Local zoning laws – you want to identify current or potential future local zoning laws which could affect remodeling or making an addition in the future.
- Home Owner/Condominium Association rules – is the home governed by rules and regulations that you feel that you can live with?