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Robert and Elaine Ramirez |
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Location, Location, Location – Still the #1 factor in buying.Robert Ramirez Argus Courier News Article Ok, you heard it before, but here it goes again. What are the three most important factors in choosing a home to buy? Survey says… Location, location, location. I have heard that infamous real estate mantra since I first started selling real estate in 1976. First off why do they have to say it three times? Location, location, location. Do they think we are all deaf? We heard them the first time! Well what does it mean…really mean, anyway?
In all honesty, I’ve never had a buyer come in my office and ask me for a house with location, location, location. If they did I would ask…location to what? What I have heard from people is this: They want a home located to good schools, nice shopping and to nearby parks, recreational complexes and open spaces. These are the “three locators” I feel affect value. Good Schools- An enormous amount of homeowners shop a home based on the school district. If your home is located in great school district your home’s value will rise. You might find the same exact home, floor plan and builder located in a less sought after school district and the selling price is considerably less. I’ve seen it time and time again. Clients come into the office asking for a particular school district and that is where we begin our search. Shopping- Proximity to a friendly neighborhood grocery store, thriving downtown and shopping center are important to all homeowners. Elderly buyers want a nearby grocery store, young couples want to stroll downtown for that Sunday morning java, and “back to schoolers” want that shopping center. What we all seem to want is to spend less time in our cars and more time with our families. Parks, recreational complexes and open spaces- If there was ever a way to add value to a home and build a close knit community it is with parks, recreational complexes and open spaces. If you can walk or ride your bike to a recreation area near your home your property value will rise. Homebuyers aren’t just buying a home; they are buying into a neighborhood and a community. A place where their kids can play basketball, soccer, or swim and where they can recreate with their friends and family. People want to exercise, walk their dogs and picnic at a neighborhood park. They want to get to know their neighbors. Open space is another desirable locator. Maybe it’s a sign of our stressful times, but I’ve noticed that today’s homebuyers are becoming more attracted to open spaces. That it’s human nature to associate peace and solitude to one’s home and living environment. But let’s face it, the average homebuyer in Sonoma County cannot afford that “little place in the country” or acres of bare land. So what has become important to us is proximity to open spaces and even more important- accessible open spaces. If you look to Marin, properties located near open spaces, hiking trails and environmental parks are very, very expensive. Take Mt. Tamalpais for instance, or better yet, neighborhoods located in San Marin in Novato. These properties are right next door to a hiking trail, their backyards abut acres and acres of accessible open land, and their best selling attribute is…located near such and such park, or adjacent to designated open space. Proximity to open space is a highly desirable selling feature. Location, location, location. It means different things at different times, but for now, in Sonoma County, people are wanting to live nearby good schools, nice shopping and parks, recreational complexes and open spaces, and they are willing to pay for it. |
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