|
When searching for your second home — especially if you're looking in a location far from where you currently live — don't fall prey to the gorgeous real estate brochures, expensive Web site marketing, and the sleek ads.
Real estate ads can be very enticing, right? They have pretty pictures and often seem to promise every amenity possible. Chamber of commerce and relocation bureau advertisements can be equally alluring, and understandably so, considering that these organizations spend oodles of dollars to attract visitors and residents and pump up their regions' tax bases.
Furthermore, developers' brochures often feature the homes themselves, but leave out pictures of or details about the surrounding area. With land prices in vacation spots soaring, homes are being built on odd pieces of property that may or may not ultimately be favorable to vacationers (or to the miserable homeowner who will have to look out his windows day in and day out at a not-so-pretty picture). A unit may look great inside and out, yet the area on the other side of the gate or out the back door may not be as attractive.
 | Even though the Web and mail are great ways to get your hands on information about a specific area, neighborhood, or even a particular unit, you need to use your own two eyes (or at least the eyes of a trusted family member or friend) to check out the place firsthand before you buy. When all else fails, use the following logic: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. |
To avoid such problems, consider the following:
- Take a short vacation to the prospective areas (after you've narrowed your location choices) to visit the homes you found on the Internet or the one your in-laws are "just positive" you'll love. You'll thank yourself later.
- Look into renting the place before you buy it outright. If you have your eye on a specific unit and/or location, and if the seller isn't in a hurry to sell the property, then try renting it. This is a good way to test-drive the home, townhouse, or condo and determine if it's in the right location, is the right size, and, ultimately, is the right choice for you and your family.
|
