If you’re a new home buyer and are wondering what questions to be asking your Collins, WI real estate agent, a Google search will provide you with a basic list of standard home buying questions. These home buying questions are reiterated across the web, and include questions such as: How much home can I afford? How much are the property taxes? What appliances are included? These questions are all good questions, but there are some questions you should be asking that are almost always overlooked. Buying a home in Collins, WI can be an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful time. Reduce stress by being prepared with a wide array of questions to ask before purchasing your first Collins, WI home.
6 Things to Consider Before Buying Your Collins, WI Home
What is the Collins, WI neighborhood like? Don’t just perform a city-data or crime search here, although you should do that. Walk the neighborhood. Pay attention to unwanted crowds, the friendliness of neighbors, location of parks and other amenities, and the cleanliness of the area. How did you feel walking the streets?- Listen for noise. It happens… you move into your new home only to realize you can hear the train at night and it keeps you awake. This is a scene portrayed often in Hollywood movies, but it is a reality. Visit your intended neighborhood during the day and during the night. Listen for traffic noises, highway noise, trains, sport stadiums, speedways, school bells, farm machinery, and noise from nearby businesses, such as mechanics, welders, and taverns. Consider the location of snowmobile and ATV trails nearby, which also may create unwanted noise at all hours of the day and night. Is the home near fairgrounds where you may experience noise for several days out of summer? Is the home near a major park where music festivals are held several times during the year?
- How does it smell? When you pulled up to the home, what did the air smell like? Was there smog, paint scents, chemicals, or other smells from nearby factories? Is there a hog farm close by to bring you the awful smell of manure in the summer? Are local restaurants nearby where you will smell breakfast, lunch, and dinner day and night?
- What direction does the house face? This may be something you never thought about, but here in Wisconsin, this is an important detail. Is the house facing north or west where it may be blasted with freezing cold air during the winter months? Is the home facing south where the front face of the home may be much warmer? Notice the location of the windows. Will you get enough sunlight into your new Collins, WI home?
- What are the schools rated?It doesn’t matter if you have children who attend school or not. The quality of schools is a correlating factor of the condition of the neighborhood. Good schools equal good neighborhoods. Poor quality schools equal bad neighborhoods.
- What are the average utility costs? There is a difference in the winter heat bill between electric heat, water heat, forced air heat, and oil heat. Be prepared to afford to fill an oil or propane tank if required. Is internet available in the area and what is the price per month? Is the home on city water or a well? Is the home on city sewer or a septic tank? Is there a fireplace to assist with heat? Is the fireplace electric or wood? How much is a cord of wood and how long will it last you? The cost of utilities will vary depending on these variables.
Buying a Home for Sale in Collins, WI shouldn’t be difficult. Our Collins, WI real estate agents make it easy. Our real estate agents are here to think of the questions you may have forgotten to ask or never thought about. It’s our job to represent you as the home buyer. If you are searching for a home in Collins, WI, contact one of our Collins, WI real estate agents today.
