When you are in the market for a new home, the more research you do about the surrounding towns and cities you wish to live near, the easier it might become for you to make the right choice.
For example, if you have children nearing college age, your search might lead you to Oxford, MS, real estate. Included as one of the Best 100 Small Towns in America, and named one of the top six college towns in the nation, Oxford is the home of the University of Mississippi, founded in 1848, the gem in the county’s 5-star educational system.
In Oxford, MS, the real estate prices fluctuate greatly, depending on how close you are to the historic town square.
Both geographically and culturally, The Square is the center of the city, replete with restaurants, stores, specialty shops, and offices. Because of its proximity to large music cities (think Nashville and Memphis) Oxford is regularly host to bands and musicians, so it’s a lively, thriving scene.
Once you decide on the area you’d most like to live in, then you can determine more specifically as to the kind of neighborhood. Are you determined to live in the heart of downtown or is a 30 minute commute to the office acceptable? And what about the house itself? Do you want a “turn-key” property, one that’s move-in ready and doesn’t require a thing (except you)? Or would you be willing to pay less but put in some hard renovation work to bring the property up to snuff?
Condominiums are nice because you don’t have to worry about exterior repairs or upkeep. If you travel a lot or vacation for extended periods, a unit is probably less hassle to leave unoccupied than a detached house, where even an untended garden is a sure sign vacancy. When you’ve decided on the type of house and the kind of neighborhood, it’s time to hit the streets, and have your real estate agent show you several houses.
Some people have trouble recalling the features of all the places they’ve seen, which is why making comprehensive notes on each tour is a good idea. Bring your digital camera as well. If there’s a feature you very much like or dislike intensely, make note of how you felt.
When you have a basis for comparison (after viewing several homes), you might start saying things like: this kitchen is huge compare to the last one we saw. Write it down. When you organize your notes, and go through them, it’ll be like viewing the homes side by side. Don’t hesitate to ask your real estate agent to show you a home again: this is a serious purchase, and you want to make the best possible choice.
RE/MAX of Mississippi (http://www.remax-mississippi.com/oxford-ms-real-estate.aspx) is a real estate brokerage that specializes in Oxford MS real estate. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
[tags]Oxford MS real estate[/tags]
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