So you’re thinking about buying a house in Mobile, Alabama. Where do you start? With the state of the market in Mobile so complicated, it can be hard to even know what you should be looking for when choosing to buy a new property, much less what to do when you actually buy one. Fortunately, with some careful planning, buying a new home in Mobile, Alabama need not be as daunting a task as it may seem at first.
Purchasing a home in Mobile, Alabama is a very smart decision. The county seat of the aptly named Mobile County, the city is the third most populous urban region in Alabama and the only salt-water port city in the state. First founded by the French in 1702, Mobile has had a long history as a center of colonial importance, first ruled by France, followed by Britain and Spain before being annexed by President James Madison in 1813.
Today, the city is a cultural center and home to a variety of art museums, a symphony orchestra, opera, professional ballet, and historic architecture. If you’re looking to buy a house in Mobile, Alabama, here are three things you should think about to find the house of your dreams.
Location, Location, Location…
When purchasing a house anywhere, one of the most important considerations you should think about is its location. The location of your new home is vitally important and what you look for will vary depending on your needs. For example, a family of parents with two children might focus on finding an area near grocery stores and good schools, whereas someone looking for a single-person house may focus more on finding an area with a healthy amount of conveniences and entertainment nearby.
In addition to finding an area that suits your needs, you should also take into consideration what neighborhoods are up and coming, or are historically valuable. A real estate purchase is an investment after all, and you should be careful to choose a property that will increase in value over time. Fortunately, Mobile, Alabama has a variety of fantastic neighborhoods to choose from, so you should have no problem finding a location that best suits you.
Your Needs and Budget
Another important factor to keep in mind when purchasing a house is the features you need from a house to best suit your needs. These features will largely be determined by your budget as well as your familial situation. Significant features of a house usually include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and floors, as well as things like a finished basement, renovated kitchen, a deck, or even a pool.
If you have a larger family and a bit of budget to play around with, you should try to look for a house where every member has their own room, and a healthy amount of bathrooms so people aren’t fighting over them all the time. If your budget is smaller, you may have to compromise, or explore the possibility of purchasing a fixer-upper instead. Deciding what features of a house you’re looking for should be one of the first steps in buying a new house.
The Age of the House
Finally, when you’re assessing the quality of potential houses to buy, you should be careful and do your research about how old the building is. An older house is likely to have more structural issues and other problems that may cost you money in the long run, or just make the house less pleasant to stay in. When purchasing a house, the year the house was constructed should be available through the realtor. However, if it isn’t, there are some ways to estimate how old a house is by yourself.
A house isn’t a small investment by any means, so make sure you make an informed decision! And if you’re ready to sell your home and move into the home of your dreams, please contact us here at Azalea Home Buyers today!