There's more to buying a custom home than choosing the right floor plan for your needs and working with the best home contractors in Fort Wayne, IN. You also want to choose the right community for your new home.
You know what they say about buying a house, it's all about location, location, location. Each new home community has its own set of rules and its own unique features. As you narrow down your choices, here's what to keep at the front of your mind.
School District
Even if you don't have school-aged children and don't plan on having them, the school district your new home is located in matters. School districts can have a direct impact on the resale value of your home. Being located in a district with great ratings and positive reviews from families can improve your home's value, meaning you're likely to get a better price for it if you decide to sell later on.
Amenities and Common Areas
It's also worthwhile to take a look at what's around the community and what's located within the community itself before buying. For example, if there a supermarket or shopping center nearby? How long would it take you to run everyday errands if you lived in the community?
You might also want to think about how close the community is to local highways and whether it would be easy to travel from your home to other locations. How long would your commute be if you moved in? If you fly a lot, can you get to the airport quickly?
Many communities have common areas that are maintained by the homeowner's association. The shared spaces can vary considerably from neighborhood to neighborhood. Playgrounds are a common shared space, for instance. Some communities have shared swimming pools or tennis courts as well. When choosing a community, ask yourself which amenities are most important to you.
Available Utilities
Another thing to consider is the source of utilities on the property and in the community. The homes in some communities connect to city lines for water and sewer but other communities use well water. Each option has its pros and cons. Some people think that well water tastes better, but it often requires more maintenance and testing on the part of the homeowner or HOA. Public water is maintained by the municipality or city.
Other utilities to think about include gas and electricity. Do the homes in the community you're considering have a gas line? Do you have a preference for natural gas or electricity when it comes to heating your home?
Rules
Different home communities have different rules. Depending on the covenants of the community, the rules might dictate when you can set up holiday decorations and what type of decorations you can put up, what type of landscaping you can have in front of your home and what types of structures you can have on your property. Some covenants also determine how many vehicles you can park and where you can park certain types of vehicles, such as boat trailers.
Lancia Homes builds custom houses in many communities across Indiana. To get started on your dream home search, get in touch today.
