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MAY 21, 2014 | 35

REAL ESTATE

MONTANA LIFESTYLES
Don’t Let Emotions Choose Your Home

By DIANE BENSON HARRINGTON

Wait! That house may seem like everything you’ve
ever wanted, but before you make an ofer, take some

time to consider a few things beyond the size, style and
price.
When buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in
the way of reality, or get sudden amnesia about factors
that may make a diference.
For instance, you may see a basketball hoop over
the garage and assume the neighborhood is great for
kids. But a closer inspection may show that it’s rusted

and hasn’t seen a ball in a decade, and that other yards
in the neighborhood have no jungle gyms or tire swings
out back.
The windows that let in so much light during the
day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seem-
ingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-
feeder street during morning or evening rush hour; or

it may be near impossible to get from your quiet street
across traic and onto the feeder street in the morning.
The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re
buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily
playground noise and extra traic may be more than
you bargained for.
SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO
Perhaps the municipal water well that feeds your ticular area will prevent you from leveling the ground taxes are used in this area. In some cities, schools are
neighborhood has high levels of contaminants or a there in later years.
substantially funded through property taxes – which

proposed high-voltage power line may soon be coming Virtually all houses have defects, according to Na- means you can count on yours increasing regularly.
through your back yard. You can also check with the tional Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents. Some NAEBA recommends looking into the property’s
city or county to see if there are any proposed projects.
will be obvious and most will be curable. But knowing and neighborhood’s zoning, as well as any potential
How many people in the neighborhood own their what needs ixing can help you negotiate a lower price easements, liens or other restrictions relating to your
homes? Sometimes it’s hard to tell at irst if you’re – or at least prepare you for costs you’re soon to incur. property. The seller should disclose these facts, but it’s
choosing a neighborhood that’s primarily rental hous- Strongly consider getting inspections, too, for lead better to be safe. If you’re using a buyer’s agent, he or
es. How often does the neighborhood get together? Do paint, radon and wood-eating pests.
she should be able to help you with this.
they have a block party every year? Even if you don’t Ask for utility bills. You may adore the Cape Cod ar-
Are you sure you can live with a one-car garage, or
plan to attend, the fact that they’re having a gathering chitectural style or the high ceilings and walls of glass a detached garage, or on-street parking? The pool may
says they care about their community, that they want in a modern home – but that winter heating and sum- be a nice bonus, but can you aford the upkeep?
to get to know each other that they’re willing to social- mer cooling bills may push your monthly payments be- If you’re not just making a cross-town move, you
ize that way. People who behave that way are building yond afordable. Ditto for the water bills you’ll pay to may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty
a community.
maintain a pristine landscape.
neighborhood backs up to a dumpy commercial area
What problems has the house had in the past – even Don’t just ask what the seller’s most recent tax or a less-than-savory part of town. If the home is near
if they’ve been ixed? An ice dam ive years ago may bill was; ask what several recent tax bills have been. an airport, ire station, police station, hospital or rail-

have caused water damage that has since been repaired. In some areas, houses are re-appraised – and taxed at road track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances
But it’s good to know that the house may be prone to ice higher rates – frequently. That great deal and good in- throughout the day and night. Make sure you’re not too
dams so you can take preventive measures rather than vestment may not seem quite so grand if the property close to an agricultural area that may generate odors or
ind out the hard way. Discovering the basement lood- taxes skyrocket year after year. Again, look at news- kick up dust or other airborne problems.
ing was solved by building up the landscaping in a par-
paper archives or talk to your Realtor about the way
Submitted by NMAR PR Committee

T
H
ANK YOU
to all who participated in the

REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE OPEN HOUSE EVENT

You made it another
R
EAL ESTATE
HUGE success!

Resource G
uide 2014
A compre
hensive guide for home buyers & sellers in Flathead, Lake & Lincoln counties

hosted by

Northwest Montana Association of Realtors
ENTER TO WIN
a $500 Landscape Design
INSIDE
Package from our Title Sponsor, Plant Land
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LOOK FOR THE REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE AND OPEN HOUSE SHOWCASE MAGAZINE IN THE MAY 14TH BEACON.
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in Northwest Montana
SUNDAY M
AY 18TH 2014•1–4 PM
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IATION OF REALTORS®