Zimmerman Group Chicago Area Real Estate Team
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Local Events
  • BLOG
    • ALL BLOGS
    • FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE
  • RESOURCES
    • BUYERS
    • SELLERS
    • Buying and Selling in Riverside
    • Buying and Selling in the North Shore
    • Buying and Selling in Austin, Texas
  • PROPERTIES
    • FOR SALE PROPERTIES
    • RENTAL PROPERTIES
Menu
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Local Events
  • BLOG
    • ALL BLOGS
    • FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE
  • RESOURCES
    • BUYERS
    • SELLERS
    • Buying and Selling in Riverside
    • Buying and Selling in the North Shore
    • Buying and Selling in Austin, Texas
  • PROPERTIES
    • FOR SALE PROPERTIES
    • RENTAL PROPERTIES
cost of living,First-time homebuyers,location,Property Taxes,realtor
/
April 14, 2021

How to Choose the Perfect Location to Buy Your Home

The Zimmerman Group

It’s been said that location is everything when it comes to buying a home. It makes sense. After all, you can update a dingy kitchen but you can’t change your home’s proximity to mass transit, beautiful parks, or your family. 

 

Choosing the perfect location to buy your home may be harder than you think. There are both personal and practical things to consider when you’re trying to decide what location is best for you. 

 

3 Personal Factors to Consider When Deciding on Location

 

  1. Your Budget

 

You can create a wish-list for your ideal location a mile long, but certain amenities come with a price. You may find that living near a prestigious public school or a super trendy restaurant scene will leave you priced out of your ideal home. 

 

“A lot of times people get so hung up on living in a ‘hot location’ they’re tempted to sacrifice on the size and quality of the home they buy,” said Kelly Boenzi of The Zimmerman Group. “When we dig deep into why that location is so appealing, homebuyers can broaden their search to include neighborhoods within their budget but with the same vibe.” She continued, “In the end, they’re happier than they would’ve been living in a house that doesn’t fit their needs simply because it’s in the hot location” 

 

2. Your Ideal Lifestyle

 

Location has just as much to do with lifestyle as it does with a geographic location on a map. Chicago is a great example of individual neighborhoods having their own personalities. 

 

“The Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park butt up against one another but they’re kind of the perfect example of location being more than just a place on a map,” said Megan Ryan of the Zimmerman Group. “The Ukrainian Village has a lot of old-world charm that appeals to families while Wicker Park is hip and eclectic which makes it a popular choice for young singles.”

 

If you’re new to the area your REALTOR® can help you understand the often subtle differences between neighborhoods in any town you’re interested in. 

 

3. Your Long-Term Plan

 

It’s not uncommon for people to move every 3 - 5 years, but if you plan to stay in your home longer, you should consider if your neighborhood has what it takes to grow with you. 

 

No kids now but planning for them in the future? Don’t forget to check out local school ratings. Planning to retire soon? Maybe being close to public transportation really isn’t all that important after all. 

 

3 Practical Factors to Consider When Deciding on Location

 

  1. The Town’s Infrastructure 

 

It’s hard to know at a glance what lies beneath the surface of most towns. You can quickly assess the roads and bridges as you drive through the area, but you’ll have to rely on your REALTOR®’s expertise to figure out the quality of the energy, transportation, and internet systems. 

 

Infrastructure repairs can be costly for municipalities who often pass the cost on to homeowners in the form of property taxes. 

 

2. The Cost of Living.  

 

The cost of living refers to how affordable a specific area is. To measure this statisticians factor in housing affordability, transportation costs, and the price of food and entertainment.

 

“In Chicago, the cost of living in an area like the Gold Coast is much higher than other lakeside neighborhoods like Buena Park,” said the Zimmerman Group’s Megan Ryan. “An experienced REALTOR® can help you understand how to get what you want in a location while still keeping you within your budget.” 

 

3. How Well Homes Hold Their Value. 

 

The real estate market is always changing, but some neighborhoods hold their value better than others. The two criteria that factor the most heavily into how well home values hold up over time are access to jobs and amenities. 

 

Even if these things aren’t relevant to you, they are important to the majority of buyers so it’s worth considering how your desired neighborhood measures up in these areas. 

 

Real estate agents have an in-depth understanding of the communities and neighborhoods they serve. Choosing a brokerage with a team that services a wide range of communities from urban to suburban can help you make sure your new home is in the perfect location for you. 

 

What’s Next?

 

Once you’ve found the home of your dreams it’s time to put an offer in. It can be hard for first-time homebuyers house shopping in a competitive seller’s market to stand out from the crowd. The Zimmerman Group’s got you covered with Tips for Making a Competitive Offer in a Sellers Market.

 

Return to First Time Homebuyers

SHARE

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Similar Blogs

moving to austin

Who Is Moving to Austin?

The Zimmerman Group May 17, 2022

In 2020, Austin boasted 168 net new residents per day. Even now, in 2022, Austin still ranks as the second fastest growing city (second to

good debt vs. bad debt

How Can Good Debt Help Your Financial Future?

The Zimmerman Group May 17, 2022

Debt. This little word often gets a bad rep. But what if I told you not all debt is bad? In fact, good debt can

Austin Summer Bucket List

Austin Summer Bucket List

The Zimmerman Group May 3, 2022

Looking for something fun to do in Austin this summer?  With outdoor adventures, tasty bites, and unique music venues, the only problem you’ll have when

kitchen remodel

Get Rid of These Kitchen Features Before You Sell

The Zimmerman Group May 3, 2022

Kitchens sell homes. Even a minor kitchen remodel can increase the value of your home. In fact, you can expect to see an average return

Buy or Sell Real Estate During a Divorce

Can I Buy or Sell Real Estate During My Divorce?

The Zimmerman Group April 8, 2022

Buying or selling real estate during a divorce can be a complicated endeavor. In the best of times, selling a home with a partner can

Hidden Costs of Buying a Home

Hidden Costs of Buying a Home

The Zimmerman Group April 8, 2022

The true cost of buying a home involves more than just the home’s list price. There are a variety of hidden costs of buying a

Austin, Texas Neighborhood Spotlight: Northwest Hills

The Zimmerman Group March 22, 2022

Northwest Hills is a group of subdivisions just a short commute from downtown Austin. Full of wildlife and winding streets, this neighborhood is ideal for

solar panels

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

The Zimmerman Group March 1, 2022

Electricity rates are on the rise. In April of 2021, ComEd filed for its first electricity delivery rate increase in four years. Rising electricity rates

Cat Mountain Neighborhood

Austin, Texas Neighborhood Profile: Cat Mountain

The Zimmerman Group March 1, 2022

Cat Mountain is located in the hill country of northwest Austin, Texas and it is one of northwest Austin’s premier residential neighborhoods. With steep forested

« Previous Next »

ADDRESS

  • 2211 N Elston Suite 104
  • Chicago, IL 60614
  • United States

TELEPHONE

(312) 600-6102
Keller Williams Realty Austin

ADDRESS

  • 1251-8 Research Blvd Suite 100
  • Austin, TX 78759
  • United States

TELEPHONE

(512) 346-3550

QUICK LINKS

  • BLOG
  • HOME BUYING AND SELLING RESOURCES
  • PROPERTIES
Menu
  • BLOG
  • HOME BUYING AND SELLING RESOURCES
  • PROPERTIES

ASK US ANYTHING

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in

2021 © Zimmermangroup. All Rights Reserved. Website Design by Square 1 Group

SIGN UP
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Local Events
  • BLOG
    • ALL BLOGS
    • FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE
  • RESOURCES
    • BUYERS
    • SELLERS
    • Buying and Selling in Riverside
    • Buying and Selling in the North Shore
    • Buying and Selling in Austin, Texas
  • PROPERTIES
    • FOR SALE PROPERTIES
    • RENTAL PROPERTIES
Menu
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Local Events
  • BLOG
    • ALL BLOGS
    • FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE
  • RESOURCES
    • BUYERS
    • SELLERS
    • Buying and Selling in Riverside
    • Buying and Selling in the North Shore
    • Buying and Selling in Austin, Texas
  • PROPERTIES
    • FOR SALE PROPERTIES
    • RENTAL PROPERTIES