Your Resources

What type of home do you want?

Next you'll want to define your needs, tastes and preferences for your new home. You may quickly prioritize your requirements. By discussing this now, you'll save plenty of time during the house-hunting process. Your Cressy & Everett Real Estate sales professional will show you only the houses that fit these requirements.

• Describe the style of house you like, such as a two-story, contemporary, ranch or some other style.
• List your priorities in home features, such as a two or three-car garage, gourmet kitchen, a family room or a formal dining room.
• Think about your lifestyle. If you don't like yard work, ask your sales professional to show you condominiums or townhouses with smaller yards. A neighborhood and area that caters to your needs is also a very important factor when choosing a home.
• Consider the identity of the neighborhood. The overall impression given by an area is key to its value.
• Drive through and around the neighborhood. Value is enhanced by other well-maintained properties. Conversely, be cautious of areas with unkempt yards and homes, and businesses mixed in with residences, unless a home/office combination is a priority.
• Ask your sales professional about the property tax assessment in the area, including any special assessments or any pending bond issues.
• Pay attention to neighborhood zoning. Many residential communities are zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Ask about other regulations in the neighborhood, such as on-street parking. Find out if the area is governed by any covenants.
• List which community services are important to you. Do you need to be close to shopping, a school or a mass transit stop?
• Get an idea of who lives in the neighborhood by talking with people who live there. Your new house has to feel right but emotions aside, it has to work right, too.
• Ask your sales professional about the Home Warranty offered by Cressy & Everett Real Estate. This warranty protects you in case of major mechanical system failure and problems with some appliances.
• Decide which imperfections you can live with and repairs you may be able to make yourself. You may also be able to finance some repairs in your mortgage.