You’ve heard the phrase “location, location, location.”

When you buy a home in a good location, it’s usually a solid long-term investment. As a Realtor®, I advise clients they don’t have to buy the best property on the block…consider the property that could use some TLC. Why? Because fixing up a home in a great neighbourhood will give you the best return on your investment and it will be easier to sell later on. You can buy a beautiful home that doesn’t need any work, but if the block is sketchy, you may have a hard time selling the property at a decent price.

So what makes a location good?

A safe neighbourhood

People want to live where there’s little or no crime. Naturally, they want to feel safe in their homes and will pay extra for it.

Good schools

Being in a good school district is important, even if you don’t have school-age kids and never plan to have any. Think resale…your home will be more attractive to young families when it’s time to sell. The better the school district, the higher the values of the surrounding homes can be.

Convenient access to popular places, shops and restaurants

Everyone needs access to good shopping and restaurants. The closer to the hubbub of a particular town or the best parts of a city, the better the location.

Water access and views

No matter where you are, someone will always pay for a great view or to be on or near the water.

Access to public transit and/or highways

In the Lower Mainland, the farther you live from the bus, skytrain or West Coast Express stations, the less valuable the home. A good location means being very close, and having easy access to public transportation.  Where a commute by car is inevitable, easy access to the highway makes for a good location.

All things considered, never lose sight of what matters most to you about the location of your home. If your kids love to mountain bike, being close to the new Albion Mountain Bike Skills Park on 102^nd may be your perfect location. Need a big yard for the dog and gardening? Maybe Northwest Maple Ridge is best for you. It’s my job to help you buy the right home for you, at the right time…call me anytime and let’s start moving!