Are you thinking of buying a house? Picking the right neighborhood is important. Buying a home in the wrong neighborhood can negatively impact your home’s resale value. That’s why it’s important to do your research and scope out the neighborhood so you don’t make a major real estate mistake that you will regret. Below, we will discuss the worst neighborhoods to buy a house in.
Worst Neighborhoods to Buy a House In
1. Foreclosed Homes
Don’t buy a house in a neighborhood full of abandoned homes, vacant lots, and foreclosed homes. This is a major red flag pointing to a declining neighborhood and decreasing home values.
Also, living near abandoned homes with boarded-up windows is unsettling and doesn’t feel safe. These abandoned homes could potentially attract unwanted squatters and troublemakers—they could become your new neighbors!
2. Near a Power Station
One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying a house is buying near a power station. These large power plant facilities emit pollution and are an eyesore. Many buyers are turned off by their presence, which can negatively impact your home’s resale value.
Even if the power station isn’t immediately visible from the property, it’s important to research the surrounding area thoroughly- you need to drive around, look at a map, and do your research to make sure you are not buying a house near one.
In addition to power stations, it’s also best to avoid homes near large power lines. These can also negatively impact your home’s resale value, and some people don’t want to live near large power lines on their street.
3. Neglected Homes
It’s best to avoid buying a house in a neighborhood where the homeowners have clearly neglected their homes. Signs of neglect include overgrown grass, untidy lawns, weeds, moldy siding, and a front yard littered with trash and junk. These are all warning signs, and it’s best to avoid buying a home in such a neighborhood because it can affect your property’s resale value.
4. Near Landfill
Avoid buying a house near a landfill. Many people don’t want to live near a landfill because the odors, environmental concerns, and overall stigma turn them off. Buying a home near a landfill will negatively affect your home’s resale value.
5. Near a Highway
Don’t buy a house near a highway. Being near the highway can lower the resale value of your home because many potential buyers don’t like the constant noise and bright lights. Also, many people have legitimate concerns about air and noise pollution.
6. Neighbor’s Backyard
Before buying a house, it’s a good idea to scope out your potential neighbors’ backyards. I know this is sometimes hard to do if their backyard is fully fenced. But try to see if you can see their backyard from the window of the home you are thinking of buying.
Make sure there is nothing there that will annoy you when you move in. For example, I had a friend who lived next to a neighbor with a dirt bike track in their backyard- it gets really noisy whenever her neighbor is using it on the weekends!
7. Rowdy Neighbors
Speaking of neighbors, you should always check to see if you will be buying a house next to rowdy neighbors. You don’t want to end up living next to people who constantly throw loud parties and cause a lot of noise and traffic with cars parked on the street.
Do your research- drive by at night and on weekends to get a better idea of what the neighborhood is really like!
8. Near the Train Station
It’s best not to buy a house near the train station. While it may seem convenient to be within a short walk to the train station, the noise can be a real problem and potentially lower the resale value of your property.
9. Near a Gas Station
Don’t buy a house near a gas station. Living near a gas station means bright lights at night, noise, gas odors, and potential traffic congestion, all of which can negatively affect your home’s resale value.
10. Neighbor’s Pets
Another thing to avoid is buying a house near problem pets. You don’t want to live next to homes where pets are constantly barking because they are tied up or, even worse, where dogs are neglected.
Before buying your home, take the time to explore the neighborhood by walking and driving around at night. This will help you determine if there are any problematic pets and their owners in the area that you’d rather not live nearby.
Home Buying Checklists Printable
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