evelopment, it's bound to Are there any ongoing or existing
happen.
subdivisions or plans that would
adversely affect your purchase
Simply because there is a large decision?
open field, or the property
you're looking at borders woods, Is it likely that the
doesn't mean it will or can stay neighborhood could be redeveloped
that way in the future. for another use?
I could rattle off instance after Most municipalities have a Master
instance where home buyers who Plan that gives a plan of action
may have just closed on a for how the community is or could
property are being notified as an be developed in the future.
abutter that some proposed Often, discussion is by area,
development, they hadn't heard neighborhood or grouped by use.
about previously, was taking
place right next door to them. One of the things you should
check out is if there are any
On that note, here are a few changes planned in the short term
questions that, as a home buyer, or long term for the particular
you need to raise as you look area of the city or neighborhood
around the property and in which you are looking to live.
neighborhood:
Are there any subdivisions, large Neighborhoods go through
or small, or plans that are transitions that include
expected to be coming before the development, stability, and
planning board that would affect decline/redevelopment. Some areas
your prospective neighborhood? are in transition from one use to
another.
Does it border a commercial or
Other areas are slated for actual industrial zone?
zoning changes perhaps to a much
higher density because of the Does it border another
dwindling supply of land that can residential zone that preserves a
be developed. lower density?
Getting caught in the middle of Does it border another
such a transition may make resale residential zone that allows for
much more difficult and life at a significantly higher density?
the old homestead less desirable
if development occurs all around Does it border a mixed-use zone?
you that you weren't anticipating
or told about. Does it border an historic zone
or district?
Zoning ordinances dictate what
you can or can't do in a certain Does the property straddle more
area of the city, including what than one zoning district?
uses are allowed to exist.
What is the effect on minimum lot
Review a zoning map of the area size requirements?
to answer the following
questions: I have experienced each of these
scenarios being at issue with a
Is the residence you're looking property I was involved with at
at in a residential zone? one time or another, either as a
sales agent, real estate
Does the property border a appraiser, as a member of the
different zoning district? Zoning Board, or as a property
owner.
understand as much as they can
The advice here is plain and about the home they want to buy
simple. and end up disenchanted with
their financial investment.
When buying a home, be sure to do
your homework. Don't be like many Copyright 2005 Don Berthiaume
home buyers who fail to
About the Author:
Don Berthiaume makes home buying easier for you by giving you the right questions to ask when buying a home. Buying a home soon and looking for some money-saving tips? Discover exactly what these questions are and who you should be asking to get the answers you need by visiting http://www.homebuyerdefenseguide.com/go/go.php/hbs5
Source: www.isnare.com
