When you are choosing a home (to rent or to buy), what is the first thing you look for (e.g. location)?
by 
SuzieQ
ANSWERS: 5
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Its proximity to a tube or train station (and - when I can be a little more selective about the town - the time it takes to get from that station to Central London).
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We've never bought a home but we've bought property a few times. For us, it's all about the land, if it's usable, is scenic, lots of wildlife and unspoiled. E have to fall in love with the land first. We know it when we see it :-)
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a clear title to the property. No matter if it's the house of your dreams, it will be a nightmare if there are title problems.
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I look for location. Don't want to be on the wrong side of tracks from most of city and have to wait on trains. After that, neighborhoods, there are some that are more run down than others. Then I actually start looking at the house itself. Does it have siding, brick, how many bedrooms, is the basment finished, how much storage does it have. One or two car garaget, attached or detached, how many bathrooms, how old is the furnace, etc.... So many things to look for but location is always first.
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Quality of construction is right up there with location. Also, if the area is one with environmental issues - I look for a structure that is built to deal with those issues. For example, if the dwelling is in a hurricane-prone area I look for window and door protection from the wind and objects the wind carries and I look for good drainage and/or an elevated structure to resist the heartbreak of flooding. If it's in an area where earthquakes are a hazard I look for a strong structure and if it is more than one story I want to know the geological setting where the footing or foundation is anchored. A case in point - in the Loma Prieta earthquake (1989) buildings in San Mateo, Ca. faired well because of bedrock anchoring and building much further from the epicenter in San Francisco did not do as well if they were upon unconsolidated material such as landfill, soil, sand, etc.
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