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Buyer Tips
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As
an added precaution, do a double-check of the services available to
the property you are considering. Ask specific questions of the proper
authorities and accept only specified answers.
Day-Care, Preschool: Where are nearby day-care and preschool
facilities ? What types of programs do they offer? Will be there a
place for your child? Which days and what times are available? What
are the costs?
Public Transportation: Is a bus or some other public transportation
available? Where are bus stops located? How frequent is the service?
Obtain a transportation map so you can determine the routes you may be
using.
Recreational Facilities: Will you be allowed to use recreational
facilities in the area? Is your new home in a public or private
recreation district? Are special memberships required? Where are parks
located and what facilities do they have? Are the parks used by
recreation organizations on specific days? Who takes care of part
maintenance and security?
Hospital and Medical Services: Where is the nearest hospital? Are
emergency medical facilities closer?
Police and Fire Protection: How available are police, fire and
emergency services? Is the protection adequate? Will your home be
protected by a neighborhood watch program? Does the area have access
to a 911 or other emergency telephone number?
Television Reception: Is TV reception adequate? Is cable TV available
for those who want? Are there restrictions on antennae? Can you have
your own satellite dish?
Telephone Service: Will telephone service be available as soon as you
move in? Will a private line be available? What other telephone
services are available?
Postal Service: Will mail be delivered to the front porch, to the
front curb or to community mailboxes at the end of the road? Will mail
be delivered daily? Where is the nearest facility to mail packages,
buy stamps, etc.?
Trash Collection: Is a commercial garbage collection service
available. Or will you have to haul and dispose of your own trash? If
dumpsters are provided, where are they located?
Street Maintenance and Parking: Are the roads properly maintained?
Will it be your responsibility to maintain any part of the roads? What
are the parking restrictions, weekdays, weekends and in emergencies?
Can you park directly in front of your home?
Water and Sewer: Are water and sewer facilities adequate? Are there
water restrictions?
Property Taxes: What are the property taxes now and what are they
expected to be? Is a general tax increase expected?
Special Assessments: Are special assessments anticipated? These could
be made for any number of reasons - paving projects, water and/or
sewer improvements, drainage improvements, schools, parks, sidewalks.
Are you expected to pay for special assessments approved or
anticipated?
Zoning Changes and New Construction: Have there been any recent zoning
changes? Are zoning changes anticipated? Is new construction planned
that will change the appearance of or the traffic flow through the
neighborhood?
This Homebuyers Tip was excerpted from:
How to Buy Your Home and Do It Right, by Susan E.
Beck, Dearborn Financial Publishing, Inc., 1993
ISBN# 0793104947
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