What are the pros & cons to purchasing a corner lot home ?
358398
a lot more traffic\npeople walking across the lawn to cut the corner,\nmore grass to cut,\n\nmore land to use,\nmore land you can use to dive into your yard...like a boat..a trailer..a motor home...\nno neighbors on one side  ! !\nthe corner lot has more benefits than problems\nI hope this helps you.\nGood Luck
906758
Homes in Texas appreciate at a rate of 3%-4% per year.  In Dallas and Fort Worth, homes generally appreciate at a rate of up to 6% per year.  The Scenery Hills addition has some nice homes and is an established neighborhood.  The property values appear to have increased over the last couple of years, or have remained steady, depending on the home.  \n\nIf one purchases a home and years later, he/she has done no updating, doesn't take care of the home, or the location is no longer desirable, then that will certainly affect the value of the home, and in the case of location, might affect the value of every home in the subdivision, depending on what the circumstances are that made the area undesirable.\n\nAs far as markets that are "better off" around Fort Worth, try the City of Mansfield, located in southeast Tarrant County.\n\nI'm confused though, as you first indicated you "just purchased" a home and later indicate that you want to make sure you're "making a correct decision."  If you purchased the home, the decision has already been made, as you now own the home.  If you just submitted an offer to a seller and haven't closed, then you haven't "just purchased" the home. \n\nAnyway, good luck to you!
1155603
The advantage is in knowing that you have equity in your home already....Don't let the seller know what it got appriased at - ok - - -Now - if you needed help with the closing cost, that is another matter, the seller could help with closing cost, and you would make a offer to the seller to adjust the purchase price....I do not recommend this - but it has been done in the past, expecially if you already have your financing approved.  The advantages is down the road, if you wanted to do a line of credit - you have the equity of 11,000 to use - for newer carpet - etc....  I would just let it build since home markets are on the rise in different areas, and on the decline in others.  Good Luck.
1066051
Craig's list and you can also email your info to buyhomes@myway.com Be sure to give the full details, size, type, area of land, area of building complete address with zip code and a picture if possible. The population of the location would also be a great help for out of towners, seeking a get-away\npeaceful location or vise-vers. Those who want neighbours with kids, so that their kids will have play-mates. Good. Luck
571780
Try looking at the classifieds for houses for sale that you like. Once you have selected ask the seller if he's willing to do a lease with an option to buy.
853891
Both have pros and cons.  Personally, I think the pre owned homes are better.\n\nWith a pre owned home, it will already be "broken in".  Just like a car, just because it's new, doesn't mean it's perfect.  Let the first owner take it for the first 2 to 7 years.  I lean towards the 7.  \n\nBy then, the kinks should be out of it.  Also, the neighborhood should already have it's personality by then,  On a new home, all you know about the neighbors is that they qualified for a loan - and in today's market, maybe not even that.  Many investors are getting past the builders attempts to keep them out, buying several houses (I don't think the builders try that hard to keep them out) and then renting them.  So you may be moving into a rental neighborhood anyhow.\n\nPre owned has trees.  Mature landscaping.  Character.  Window coverings...
451183
A condo is great if you are a busy and do not have time for maintaining a home. You are buying Air Space. There are common areas and monthly Home Owner Association Dues. Usually your water,garbage, and sewer are included. The Association usually takes care of building insurance you only need renters insurance. It might even have a pool or tennis courts and a club house. Town homes are a little different you have your own entrance and usually there is still a HOA but it is yours. Some include snow removal and lawn care and landscaping. If you want your own back yard then you want a home.  But you do everything your self. There are Patio or Coach homes that are single family but maintenance free meaning they do all the snow and lawn. Same but different.
714423
Today's homeowners are looking for one large, spacious, uncluttered, sparkling clean kitchen.  People today do not use their kitchens in the same way as was done years ago when a second kitchen, or "summer kitchen" was a cool feature.  The approximate value of having a legal commercial kitchen on your property is specific to your local area.  The need in your local area will determine the value.\n\nIt's hard to say that your property value would increase by $30,000 because it cost that much to buy and install the equipment.  Your main house should have a large, beautiful, (remodeled) modern kitchen with lots of stainless steel fixtures.  Remodeling your main house kitchen is what can add the most to your property value, up to 150% of remodeling costs you expend.  \n\nThe large commercial kitchen is of value to people who are looking to produce income, or who are in the food preparation business.  Caterers, bakers, restaurant owners, and chefs.   Also, someone planning to have a large garden on the acre of land, and grow food, might appreciate having the extra kitchen, and large storage coolers, as well.   Online food sellers are now a hot business opportunity niche.  They usually need a commercial kitchen to prepare their product.  Florists also use large coolers and need extra storage space.  \n\nCheck with your zoning board if one person can own the property and someone else can rent and run the kitchen.  If you advertise in your newspaper a commercial kitchen For Rent, the response you receive may help you discover how popular the feature is in your immediate area.  Explain to people who respond with interest that you don't use the kitchen any more, you are planning to sell your property, any lease would begin after the house was sold, and would be contigent upon approval by the new owner.  As you begin to gather names, someone interested in renting the kitchen area may decide to buy the entire property, or they may know someone looking for this kind of value who would partner with them.\n\nThe point is to get the word out, and market your property specifically to those in the food, preparation, and refrigerated products industry.  Do this in addition advertising to those in the general real estate market.  There are non-profit groups that could have funding available specifically designated for maintaining a commercial kitchen \n\nI would not change or convert the kitchen before you put the property up for sale.  You say there is already plenty of other garage space, and storage space on the property.  I am sure most buyers would appreciate having the upgraded electric, or gas service, and fire safety equipment even if they didn't plan on using the kitchen space.  Having a list of prospective renters to give to the the new owners may actually increase the value of your property in the eyes of some people. Let the new owner decide if they want to keep the kitchen, or convert it back to gargage space.\n\nIf it turns out that interest in the commercial kitchen is low, either you or the new owner can sell kitchen equipment to raise extra money.  It's possible this could even help the prospective buyer pay closing costs as an incentive towards the sale.
769824
If this is the house of your dreams and it is a great deal then go for it. This will motivate you to price your house properly with the market. If you wait till the market turns around then  other homes will cost you more when the time comes.
653764
There are definitely a few advantages to buying a previously owned home.  Typically, most new homes do not come with sodded back yards, blinds, and ceiling fans.  Most previously owned homes have all of these.\n\nAlso, some persons like to buy a used home because you do not have builder risk.  You see, when you have a new home built, the builder may not do a good job and then you are stuck trying to get the builder to live up to his/her contract.  Since a used home is already built, you already know what you are getting.\n\nWhen you buy a new home, you will have more control of the look and options.  Many people want more control of the options and purchasing a new home gives them this.\n\nNew homes also should have less problems because appliances, AC's, heaters are brand new and are less likely to break.  However, you can limit the risk when purchasing a used home by purchasing an optional warrant contract, which is like an insurance policy on major house systems, such as the AC.
138038
A lot of new home subdivisions are being built as common interest developments.  If you want to buy a property in one of these developments you must join the association.  In every association I have ever herd of there is always some type of fee.  Sometimes the fees are small, just some type of management fee.  Other times the association pays for gardening, maintenance, roads etcetera.  I know in some areas it can be hard to find properties that don’t belong to some type of association.  They do however exist; you just have to find them.  Oh, I almost forgot, if you decide to buy in an association community, read the CC&R’s VERY carefully.  They often have strict requirements about what you can and can not do to, on or in your own property.  \nBest of luck to you.
689881
It only matters if you intend to change the current use of the property, which you should do immediately if you buy raw land.\n\nHigher density usually implies residential/multi-family. So build as many units as you can to create the most value. Anything over 4 units is considered 'commercial' real estate, so its value is a function of the income. Maximize the income. ASAP!\n\nIf you need to borrow to build, the bank will usually lend you about 75% of the FUTURE value of the project once complete. Call your favorite mortgage banker (or me) for guidance here.\n\nBut if you haven't bought yet... stop and think. What is your strategy? You might make more money buying something that's cash-flowing POSITIVELY from the day you buy it. Do the math and decide which is right for you, along with non-financial considerations.\n\nGood luck!\n\nTrevor
737772
It depends. If your relatives are willing to pay a fair market value and there are no Realtors involved, then it's a good deal. It will save you money on closing costs. Also, you will avoid the process of having your property fot months on the market, showing the house and having your Realtor to do open houses. In most cases, finding an outside party means hiring an agent, which will cost you 5-6% of the selling price of the house.
643649
I'd be careful with how much the seller is willing to pay.  Lenders have a limit to how much the seller can contribute towards your closing costs, usually either 3% or 6% of your purchase price depending on the type of loan you get.
94714
The answer to this question depends on the market.  Some markets are "seller's markets".  If you are in one, you will probably have to offer MORE than the asking price.  You may ask your agent to provide an MLS list of homes that have recently sold in the specific area you are considering.  Look at the days on market (DOM), the asking price, and the sale price.  If the days on market are low, you are probably in more of a seller's market.  Even so, look at how close the asking and sale prices are.  Take the sales in the last 30 days for that area and find the average cost per square foot for the type of home you are considering and use that average as a guideline (new construction cost per sq ft is usually higher than resale cost per sq ft. but consider recent renovations and lot size).  Always make the contract contingent upon a home inspection. There are some markets that are so favorable to sellers that buyers will waive this...I do not recommend doing that on a resale buy.  Always ask the seller to give you (at least) a one year home warranty.  Good luck!
556429
If you are planning on expanding your property, i wouldn't buy it since it cannot be built on. But, if you are just wanting it to be your property and are keeping the woods, or extending your back yard, go for it. In closing costs, they would be lower than purchasing the house because the lot would have a far lower tax amount and I don't think it would need insurance. Of course, Title company fees and Realtor fees would be the same. They will give you documents with your title papers that will tell you what the taxes will be on the property and they will be separate from your taxes on your home because taxes are charged per lot unless they are surveyed together.
1173499
It's a question everyone would like to have answered :)\n\nUnderstand that in any real estate market there is a wide range of prices. The questions that you should be asking yourself is, what is the most important feature you need in a house? For example, if you have a family, is it a school? neighborhood? If you don't have a family, would your commute to work be a huge factor? Prices will be lower in "less desireable" locations. Case in point, houses by the beach will sell far more than comparable houses further inland. Size of the house of course matters as well, do you want a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom house? or a smaller 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house?\n\nI agree that a foreclosure purchase is a good idea. As interest rates rise, previous buyers who are on Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) or Interest Only Mortgages will be dropping like flies. And with the increasing supply of housing, it would be a good time to shop foreclosures as market prices fall and lower foreclosure prices even more. However, keep in mind, purchasing a foreclosure house does have it's restrictions. If I recall correctly, you must live in it for a number of years and it can't be used as income property. You need to be pre-APPROVED not pre-qualified for a loan in order to participate in the bidding proccess.\n\nI hope this helps. I recommend getting a book or two on buying real estate or talk to a licensed real estate agent before making your move.