Houses for sale are exciting to search for, peruse, and walk through. If you are looking to buy a house, this process is even more exciting when you think about what you want your home to look like and what features you want your home to have. However, there are some other things you should be thinking about as you search for a home of your own. 

What Are the Property Taxes Like?

People get so excited about buying their own home that they forget that they have to pay taxes on it. Every city, county, and state charges property taxes. How those taxes are calculated and how much you can expect to pay varies widely. You do not want to pay a decent price in monthly mortgage payments and then find out that your property taxes are downright awful. Ask the real estate agent what the property taxes are on every home that grabs your interest. He/she will be able to tell you what the current owner paid in the most recent year on the property. 

Is Public Transportation Available from Near the House to Your Work Location?

Sometimes cars break down. Sometimes you have to go without a car for an extended period of time. When that happens, you want to be certain that you can get to work, and public transportation may be the only way. Find out how close to the nearest bus stop, train station, subway station, rent-a-bike station, etc. this particular home is. Then determine if each of the available modes of public transportation will get you to your work without wasting too much time. If there is no available public transportation besides ridesharing and/or taxis, or the available transportation provides a commute that is a nightmare, you might want to keep looking at other houses on the market.

What Is the Neighborhood Like?

Is the neighborhood made up of mostly elderly people and senior citizens? If you like things quiet, that is perfect for you. If you have children that want to make friends and play close to home, that may not work out. Crime is another problem. If the house is fabulous, but it sits in an area of the city with one of the highest crime rates, that might not be right for you. Ask your real estate agent these very important questions before you decide to make an offer on a home for sale.

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