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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