| So you've got your mortgage loan approval and | | | | demographic information you might find relevant. |
| are ready to look for a home. Here's a couple of | | | | If they have one, check out a school's website. If |
| ideas to keep in mind when looking for the right | | | | you aren't sure about a place, it might be best to |
| home for you. | | | | rent in the area before buying, so that you can |
| If you love gardening, you'll enjoy finding a home | | | | be assured of investing in the best neighborhood |
| with a large yard, maybe something with | | | | you can afford. |
| ornamental shrubs or even a vegetable garden. | | | | If you've got allergies, this is another consideration. |
| Existing gardens or not, a green thumb can make | | | | If you are severely allergic to animals, make sure |
| any yard beautiful. However, if you've got no | | | | the house you are considering buying wasn't |
| time for working in the garden, you'll prefer a | | | | recently home to that animal. If it was, consider if |
| low-maintenance, small yard. In fact, a town home | | | | you can replace the carpeting that may still hold |
| with a pre-existing landscaping company may be | | | | dander or fur, even after a professional cleaning. |
| more your style. That way you can simply pay | | | | Alternatively, it may eve be the carpets that |
| for the service with the rest of your fees. | | | | cause your allergy. More and more people these |
| However, a landscaping company can easily be | | | | days are chemically sensitive, and chemicals in |
| hired to mow any yard, so if the home and | | | | carpets and adhesives are often the cause. If this |
| location is perfect, don't let the yard change your | | | | is the case, look for homes with real hard-wood |
| mind. The same thing goes if you love to garden, | | | | floors and minimal or no press-board or laminate, |
| as even a small yard can bring rewards. Imagine | | | | as products that often contain formaldehyde. |
| turning the lawn into an English garden with stone | | | | Some developers now are building homes with |
| walk-ways leading to a central bird-bath. | | | | low-emission paints and plywoods. Also check that |
| Communication may be another consideration for | | | | your home has good ventilation, and if there's an |
| you. In the lower floors of some condos and | | | | air conditioner, that it be one with no CFCs. If |
| apartments it can be hard to get good cell phone | | | | chemical sensitivity is a concern for you, ask your |
| reception, just as it can be in far-out rural areas. | | | | real estate agent about developers that specialize |
| This might be a really big deal if you've given up | | | | in green homes. |
| your land line and rely on a cell phone. If this is the | | | | If you have pets yourself, a yard again might be |
| case, test your phone while you are viewing a | | | | your priority. Although any yard can be fenced, if |
| condo unit. If there are no or few bars of power, | | | | it's already done, all the better. Consider also the |
| you may be able to get more with another type | | | | neighborhood. Are there dog parks nearby where |
| of phone, or another cell phone company. | | | | Fido can run without a leash? |
| If you have kids, proximity to schools, and a safe | | | | Whatever your needs are, there will undoubtedly |
| neighborhood will be a priority. If you are | | | | be a home that is perfect for you. With patience |
| relocating to a new city, ask your | | | | and forethought, you're sure to find it. |
| REALTORÂ(R) for an area map, and any | | | | |