A Little "Location" Lesson + This Week's Featured Property!

Everybody knows that as far as real estate is concerned, the first and most important principle is "Location, location, LOCATION! ", but what factors make up a desirable location? Obviously everyone has different tastes and what is the favorable deciding factor in a purchase decision for one person is the deal breaker to someone else, but it is safe to make a few generalizations based on experience--and in my experience, here are some near-universal criteria clients have told me they're looking for:

• Security: I have yet to have someone tell me a particular neighborhood was "Too quiet."


• Amenities: When there are thousands of beautiful homes to choose from, the community offering the best amenities for the best price will usually get the lion's share of the buyers. proximity to schools, hospitals, shopping, etc. also falls under this category.


• Value: Even in the hottest markets where people actually offer MORE than the asking price of the home, the value must be perceived to be worth the price. Also see "Amenities".


• Setting and/or Views: While the home itself is an important factor, most buyers are seeking a particular look or feel to the land the home sits on. A cozy, warm-feeling neighborhood, wide open spaces, beautiful views--the list is extensive. The most beautiful home in a rundown neighborhood with an ugly view is not usually what buyers are looking for. A more likely purchase is a home in need of some renovation in a beautiful setting or desirable neighborhood--since the home can be changed, but the location cannot.

As I mentioned, those are just some generalities--everyone has their own unique criteria of what makes a house a "home" and what was the deciding factor in their purchase. Sound off--what let you know that your home was "the ONE" for you? I'd like to know!

In the meantime, as promised, here's the Featured Property of the week:

This gorgeous homesite is in Show Low Bluff, which meets all the criteria mentioned above: 24/7 roving security, the first true master-planned community in the White Mountains with more amenities in progress than any other in the area, home sites that are not only retaining but increasing in value, and amazing views in an unspoiled setting.

What you might not be able to tell from the photo is the spectacular views available from this site--green tree-covered rolling hills for miles, and just enough twinkling lights at night to make it interesting. This is one of the last homesites with this kind of elevation in Sitgreaves Park 1, and it's a STEAL at just $72,000. Here's more information: http://wtmtmls.fnismls.com/publink/default.asp?GUID=6c4da674-6ccd-4463-98bb-b7dfc531aeff&Report=Yes

We as humans require some universal basics: food, shelter, and safety--and the beauty is that although we all have different tastes, enough of us can come together and agree to create fantastic communities such as this that will appeal to a wide variety of people. While you can't make everyone happy all the time, Show Low Bluff is doing a great job trying!

I'll leave you with a thought for the week: Dream the life you've always wanted, then set about to live it! EnJOY...