Buying a new home is a big decision. In addition to finding the right home, it’s important you choose an area that works best for you. In this guide on how to decide where to buy your next home, we’ll take a look at some of the things to consider. We’ll also share some tips and tricks on working with an agent to your dream home in the perfect area.  

Factors to consider

Before you begin to consider different locations, you need to look at yourself and decide what you want. Consider your career goals. Also consider what you want from a community. Are you an independent single looking to find a vibrant city to live in? Do you want to start a family? Do you want a more peaceful way of living?

Your personality and your life experiences can influence where you choose to live. After you have examined your internal factors, you can now look at external factors that may help you make this important decision.

Let’s take a look at some of the other factors that go into choosing the location of your new home.

Budget

When you are considering moving to a new area, this should be a key factor. You need to consider how much you can afford each month to mortgage or rent a property.

Cost Of Living

The first step in figuring out your overall cost of living is to determine your housing budget. This refers to the amount you spend on basic living expenses such as food, utilities, childcare, etc. The cost of living is an important factor in deciding how much house you can afford and where to live.

Local Real Estate Market

Your cost of living and monthly housing costs will be affected by the local real estate market. When researching places, consider whether there is a seller’s market. 

This can impact your ability to negotiate when you buy a house. A buyer’s market means that there are more properties available, which may allow you to negotiate higher prices. Seller’s markets may have fewer properties to purchase, which means that the seller will be able to negotiate more.

Job Opportunities

All of us need money to live. Most of it comes from our jobs. When you are looking for a place to call home, this might be something to consider. What is the state of the job market? Do the jobs that are available match your skills? Are they highly competitive?

There are many industry hubs in the country. If you’re interested, that could play a role in where you land. Also, you should look at the average salary in your area. Will this allow you to maintain your standard of living?

If you are considering moving to another state and keeping your job, make sure to verify with your employer. Your company might not be allowed to operate in the state you choose. Different tax rules apply in different states as well.

The big city vs small town living

When deciding whether you want to live in a small town or big city, there are some things to keep in mind. Although a big city may offer many places to live, as well as restaurants, arts, and culture, it might be more expensive. A small town, on the other hand, can provide wide open spaces and lower living costs, but there will be fewer museums and restaurants to choose from.

Every type of place has its advantages and disadvantages. You’ll need to consider what is most important to you. The suburbs can often be a great compromise. 

The suburbs offer more space than the typical city home, and you can still enjoy the city’s benefits. It’s likely that you will have a lower cost of living than in a more urban area as well.

Growing city or established area

When deciding whether or not you want a big city or small town, you should also think about whether you’d prefer a growing city, or a more well established area. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. 

You might prefer the excitement and lower cost associated with a place on the verge of growing. Or, you might be more comfortable with an established place with traditional amenities.

Entertainment options and culture

Culture and entertainment can have a significant impact on the quality of life in a given area. Consider what is important to you. Do you enjoy trying new restaurants? Do you love art museums?

Consider the entertainment and cultural offerings of potential places. You might be a sports fan that wants to spend their weekends at the game. If the arts are more your thing, then maybe you’d prefer somewhere with museums and a thriving theater scene.

Think about your hobbies. Will this new city support them? Look for online groups in the area that share your interests. This is a good way to gauge whether or not a specific place has what you’re looking for.

The outdoors

Consider what outdoor activities you would like to do in your new home if you are outdoorsy. Are you looking for a large piece of land to park your four-wheeler on? Would you rather have a strong park system in a large city? You might be looking for places to fish, hunt, or play sports.

Consider what your pets might need if you have children or dogs. You might consider dog parks or playgrounds. A yard might be necessary to allow your dog to run free, or for your children to get some fresh air.

Climate

Your preferred climate is another important consideration. Do you prefer the four seasons? Are you more at home when it’s warm and sunny all year?

Weather can have a huge impact on your daily life, including driving and beachgoing. Check out the weather patterns in your area. Does it rain too much? Does the idea of a drought concern you?

Another thing to think about is elevation. You might be considering moving to a mountain city. It may take some time to adjust to living at such an elevation. 

Flooding is possible in areas below sea level or near large bodies of water. Ask your neighbors and a real estate agent about flooding in the area you are considering. 

Crime Rates

Research crime rates in the area you are interested in. Remember that the crime rate of a location does not necessarily indicate how safe it is to live there. The term safety is subjective. 

There are many factors that influence the type and frequency of crime in a particular area. It is important to keep in mind that crime rates vary greatly from one neighborhood to the next.

External costs such as insurance rates or home costs can be affected by crime rates, so it is worth looking into and taking note.

Education

This is especially important if you have children or plan to have them. Look into the schools in your area. 

Look into what schools are available to accommodate special needs children. Families flock to schools that are thriving and make their neighborhood stand out. Talking with parents of children in the area can give you an idea about the school’s quality.

Consider their opportunities after high school if you have older children. Are there any trade schools or community colleges that might be of interest to them? Is there a state university that offers in-state tuition?

Remember that great schools can raise your property value even if you don’t have children!

Public Transportation

If you don’t have a car or don’t want one, public transportation may be an option. While major metropolitan areas may have strong public transportation systems in place, much of the country’s smaller towns lack a robust public transit system. Rideshares and buses are very common. However, it is important to research the cost and time involved.

Transport is often part and parcel of a commute. Consider how far you will have to commute to work.

Proximity to family and friends

Consider how close you’ll be to family and friends. They may be a source of child care or just want to be there to visit you whenever you need. 

No matter what, you need to decide what that means for your family. You can reduce your list of locations by choosing to live close to loved ones. 

Work with a good agent

Remember that a good agent can help find the right neighborhood and city for your needs. It will be a huge benefit to you to find one who is knowledgeable about the area. 

They will be able to explain any factors that might affect your decision. They’ll also be able to help you find the right home for your budget.

Conclusion

It is an important decision that involves many moving parts. You can decide where you will thrive by weighing factors according to your wants and needs. If you’re ready for a change, do your research and work with a great agent to help you find the place that works best for you. You’ll be glad you did! 

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the pros and cons of small-town living vs big-city living. While both types of communities offer their own unique appeal, you must take a holistic view as to which one will better suit your needs and lifestyle. 

If you’re thinking of moving to a new area with different housing options, it’s a good idea to do your research on small-town living vs big-city living before making the leap. These two types of locations can have an impact on your job opportunities, the cost of living, the type of neighbors you have, and other elements that are important to consider. 

In this article, we will explore some of the differences between these two locations so that you can make an informed decision when choosing where to live.

Real estate in small towns vs big cities

Small towns have cheaper real estate compared to big cities. The main reason for this is the difference in population density. As you know, big cities have a much larger population than small towns, so real estate prices are naturally going to be higher. 

Small towns have a lower cost of living, which means that your grocery bills and utility bills will likely be less as well. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to move to a smaller town.

What is small-town living?

A small town is typically a rural community that has a population of fewer than 10,000 people. These types of towns are often located in remote areas and don’t have the same amenities as big cities, making them less desirable to some people. 

Small towns often have simpler lifestyles that revolve around family values and traditional values. These types of towns are also often referred to as “home towns” by their residents. To give you an idea of how many people live in a small town, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 37% of the population in the U.S. lives in small towns. 

The population of small towns across the U.S. has been growing in recent years, with some attributing this growth to a decline in the cost of living.

What is big city living?

Big city living is typically associated with living in a major U.S. city such as New York City, Boston, or Los Angeles. In most cases, these cities have populations of more than 1 million people. Big cities often have large populations and have reputations for having active and hectic lifestyles, often revolving around business, culture, and the arts. 

These cities are often hubs for business and commerce, and some of them are considered the world’s leading financial capitals. Some of the most populous cities in the U.S. include New York, New York (8.6 million people), Los Angeles, California (4.1 million people), and Chicago, Illinois (2.7 million people). 

While big cities offer exciting and fast-paced lifestyles, they also come with higher costs of living and a greater risk of crime.

Pros of small-town living

When moving to a small town, you are likely to enjoy a simpler and slower-paced lifestyle that allows you to focus on family values. Small towns often have a tight-knit community that offers a sense of belonging and makes it easy for residents to connect with each other. 

An example of a nice small town to live in is Granbury Texas. A few reasons to move to Granbury is affordable housing, The cost of living in Granbury is lower than in many other big cities in Texas. The average cost of a home in Granbury is roughly $130,000, which is lower than the average home price in the Texas cities of Austin, Houston, and Dallas.

Granbury is home to the Granbury School District, which is rated as “excellent” by the Texas Education Agency.

Small towns have a lower cost of living as compared to big cities, making it easier for residents to comfortably afford their everyday expenses. Small towns also often have lower crime rates than big cities, making it a safer place to live.

Pros of big city living

Bigger cities have a wide range of employment opportunities, and there are plenty of opportunities in major U.S. cities, with some being leaders in commerce, fashion, and finance. 

Major cities often host various cultural events and festivals that are sure to appeal to a wide range of people. These events are also great for meeting new people and increasing your social circle. 

Big cities have easy access to transportation systems that make it easy for residents to travel from one place to another. 

Major cities are often associated with having a high standard of living, which means you are more likely to earn more money than in smaller towns.

Cons of small-town living

Small towns often lack diversity, which means that it can be difficult to find people with different backgrounds, cultures, or religions. Smaller towns also don’t have the same employment opportunities as major cities and therefore may not be suitable for everyone. 

Small towns don’t have the same attractions as major cities, so it may be difficult to find something to do on weekends or during your free time.

Cons of big city living

Major cities usually have a higher cost of living than smaller towns, which may make it more challenging for some people to afford their day-to-day expenses. Major cities are often notorious for having high levels of pollution, which can be harmful to your health. 

Big cities often have higher levels of crime than smaller towns, so you must be careful when walking around at night. They have busier and more hectic lifestyles that may not appeal to everyone.

Final Thoughts

When comparing small-town living vs big-city living, you should consider your own personal values and what will make you happy. While it’s important to think about the various benefits and drawbacks of each type of community, it’s also important to not be too critical and to remember that no two places are exactly the same. 

Instead, it’s important to view each place as its own unique community with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. From there, you can make an informed decision on which type of place is right for you and your family.

Professional photography should always be included in the “steps to selling a house” process. Some sellers and even agents think a buyer’s first impression is when they drive up to the property. However, that is usually not the case.

The first impression for most buyers is the MLS for the property, specifically the photographs. Every buyer wants to see what a property looks like inside and out. Of course the specifications and description of the property matter too. However, photographs are usually the deciding factor in whether or not a buyer wants to view a property. Photographs elicit an emotion that no amount of words will ever be able to do.

Are Real Estate Photographs Necessary?

Real estate photographs are a must when selling a home. Most MLSs won’t let agents enter a listing without at least one photo. Some agents have no intention of adding more than one photo, so this requirement doesn’t impact them. While other agents plan on entering photos but they still need to be taken. So in order to get around this MLS requirement, they’ll enter a “coming soon” image or one photo of the exterior.

Taking either approach when entering a new listing is a horrible idea. It’s understandable, that some sellers and agents are anxious to get a listing entered into the MLS and don’t see the harm in adding photos at a later date. There are several issues with this strategy.

The main issue of adding a listing without photos is losing potential buyers. Once a property is entered into the MLS is when it’s going to get the most amount of views. It’s the first impression! The odds of a buyer revisiting a pictureless listing after they’ve ruled it out is probably zero. The time a seller or agent thinks they’re losing by waiting for photographs isn’t a loss at all, it’ll be a complete gain. That is if the photographs are appealing.

Are Professional Real Estate Photographs Necessary?

Almost anyone can take a good photo, but can anyone take the best real estate photo? The answer is an unequivocal no.

Sure with a push of the button, a smartphone can produce a great picture. Add some filters and it will look even better. However, photographs taken with an inexpensive camera or smartphone tend to be limited and won’t be able to show a property in its best light. The same holds true for people who have the best camera equipment but have no clue how to use it.

This is where a professional photographer comes in. Not just any photographer though, a real estate photographer. Top real estate photographers know how to showcase a property. What angles do pictures need to be taken from at the right time of day for the home’s exposure? It takes a certain eye to produce the best photos, an eye a majority of people don’t have.

 

Benefits of Using a Professional Real Estate Photographer

A Quicker Home Sale

Statistics show over and over again homes with professional real estate photographs will sell faster and for more money. Even if a property isn’t model-perfect real estate photographs have a way of showcasing a home’s best features. They know how to get buyers through the door.

 

Up to Date

Photographers tend to be passionate about their craft. They have the best equipment and are up to date with the latest and greatest techniques for producing the best photos.

Time Saver

A professional real estate photographer will be in and out! They aren’t going to take a 1,000 photos trying to get the best angle, they already know what the best angle is. Nor will they have to go back to the property to retake photos that didn’t turn out. A professional is also going to send a finished product. So there is no need to fuss with lighting or cropping, it’s already done. The turnaround time for most photographers is usually 24-48 hours max.

 Biggest Bang for the Buck

Professional real estate photos will be the best marketing dollar ever spent. The photographs are literally used for all marketing. Online marketing, print marketing, the MLS listing, the list goes on and on. Why spend money on marketing a property with subpar photos?

The cost to hire a real estate photographer is going to vary. It all depends on the area and the size of the property. The average cost for professional photographs in most areas (not the luxury market) is usually $100-$400. THAT’S IT

Final Thoughts

It’s imperative for sellers to know what type of marketing listing agent is going to do for their home. Top Realtors are going to hire a professional real estate photographer. If the agent plans on taking the photos ask for examples of other listings they have. There are a few very talented 

Realtors who are capable of taking their own photographs. However, that is rarely the case.

If an agent is going to slap up less than perfect photos there is cause for concern how they’ll be marketing the property. That is if they plan on marketing it at all. 

Photographs are usually the first impression and one of the cheapest marketing tools. If an agent doesn’t fork out a few hundred dollars for professional photos odds are they won’t be spending a dime on marketing at all.