Should you choose to purchase a home in the “Best” school district in the Tamaqua area?

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you may have been advised that it’s always wise to purchase a home in the best school district, even if you have no children. The reason is resale value. “Everyone” with children wants them to attend the best schools.

 

What you should do depends upon a number of factors.

 

Your housing budget, of course, is the first consideration. It’s never wise to commit to paying more on a house payment than you can comfortably afford without eliminating all the activities that add spice to your life. Property taxes in that “best” school district could add hundreds of dollars per month to your house payment.

 

Next are your plans. Are you buying for the short term or the long term? If you have no children and plan to stay for the next ten or twenty years, the school district really shouldn’t be a consideration. After all, in that much time things may have changed drastically. Remember that a school district, like any other organization, is as good as its leadership.

 

Backing up for a moment, consider what makes a school “the best.” Before you take someone else’s word for it, go to the school district’s website and see what they offer. You might also talk to some of the parents and students in different school districts.

 

Find out if things are “as advertised.” Find out if what someone else considers the best is what you want for your children.

 

Your opinion of good, better, or best might be different from someone else’s, so form your own opinion.

 

You may prefer to send your children to private schools. If so, then the only reason to consider the school district is resale value. If you spend $10,000 per year on private schools and save $10,000 per year on property taxes, you’ll come out far ahead once your children are out of school.

 

If you’re getting ready to buy, call me. I can show you the school district boundaries and give you links to their websites. Then I can help you find the Tamaqua home that suits you and your loved ones, no matter which school district you choose.

How to help your agent sell your Tamaqua home

When your Tamaqua home is for sale, you’d like to get the highest price possible and do it in the shortest time possible. Right?

 

Here are 4 ways you can help:

First, give your agent a written list of what you love about the house and the neighborhood.

 

It could be the way the sun comes in where you enjoy your morning coffee, the shaded back deck that’s perfect for barbecue and dining on summer evenings, the space that allows for large gatherings of friends or family, or a floor plan that allows you peace and quiet to read a book while your teens play their music on high volume.

 

Think about the features you love, then about the benefits you've enjoyed from those features.

 

As for the neighborhood, it might be the close proximity to public transit, schools, parks, shopping, entertainment, or work. It might be the warmth or energy of the neighborhood community. It might be a combination of many things, so take time to give it some thought and list them all.

 

Your agent can then use this information it in the narrative that will accompany your home's photos and details both on line and in print. You never know what feature or benefit that doesn’t show up in the standard details could be exactly what some buyer is searching for.

 

Next, do tell your friends and family that your home in Tamaqua is for sale. When you do, mention the things you love and will miss about the house. If asked why you’re selling, give a reason, but don’t make it sound urgent. You don’t want to convey the idea that you’re desperate and thus will reduce your price.

 

When it comes to price, do state the list price. Do NOT discuss how much you will or might come down from that price. You can discuss that with your agent, but don’t do it in a public place.

 

Third, if you use social media, tell your online friends that your house is for sale. Include a link to your listing and invite interested parties to contact your agent.  And again, mention why you love the house and/or the neighborhood.

 

After that, follow your agent’s advice. Keep the house show-ready; allow showings at all reasonable times; take family and pets and vacate the premises during showings; and do your best to keep your emotions out of the way when negotiating over an offer.

 

If your Tamaqua house is already on the market, I wish you success.

 

If not, and if you’re ready, or nearly ready, to take that step, get in touch. I’ll be glad to prepare a market analysis to show you what your home is worth in today’s market, and to show you the marketing plan I use to get my listings sold quickly.

Should you buy where there’s a Homeowner’s Association?

Homeowner’s Associations (HOA’s) are becoming more and more popular as people seek to maintain property values. They usually work for that purpose because they prohibit things like leaving rusted-out junk cars in the driveway, placing an old overstuffed couch in the tall grass of the front yard, or keeping 16 barking dogs.

 

At the same time, they can prohibit things you might want, such as the right to park your fishing boat in your own driveway, put a basketball hoop on the garage, or own a dog of a certain size – or own a dog at all.

 

That means that it’s imperative to read the HOA documents before committing to a purchase. You may think it’s fine to need HOA approval before installing a new screen door or choosing a paint color for your front door – or you may think what you do with your own house is nobody’s business.

 

Next, find out what your association dues would cover. It could be fire insurance, exterior maintenance of the grounds, and amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, or exercise rooms. Or – it could be not much of anything.

 

Most associations will willingly allow you free access to the rules and regulations. Others will refuse until you have an accepted offer in place. Still others will demand payment before giving you access to that information.

 

Once you know the rules and regulations and what your dues will cover, the next step is to research the management. Some are very well run. Some are not. In fact, some are even involved in costly lawsuits.

 

Talk to people who live there and find out their feelings on the HOA. It could be wonderful, but it also could be why the people who own the house you’re considering are eager to move.

 

Note that I said HOA’s usually work to help you maintain property values. Whether that is true depends upon the management. I’ve read of associations who pay no attention to enforcing the rules, so some houses do become “junkyards.” So do take a look around before assuming that all the homes are well-kept.

 

Subdivisions with CC&R’s are much the same. Not all have a formal governing organization, but most do have neighbors who will object strongly if you don’t follow the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.

 

Once again, read the documents to be sure that you can willingly comply. You may see that some homeowners in the subdivision are non-compliant, but don’t take that to mean you could do the same. For all you know, there could already be a lawsuit pending against the non-compliant homeowner.

 

If you’re looking for a new home here in Tamaqua and considering buying into a Homeowners Association, get in touch. I’ll be glad to help you do the necessary research before making that decision.