Types and Styles of Homes | Columbus Homes For Sale

Just because you may feel restricted by price ranges -- especially if this is your first

or second home

purchase -- don't let anybody tell you that you can't afford to be

choosy when looking for a home to

buy! You are unique. You have desires and

needs, hopes and dreams for your new home that are

different from your parent's,

friend's or coworker's. OK? So let's get busy defining these home

buying

parameters and writing them down.

Location & Neighborhood

Suburbs or Country

Pros: Generally less expensive. Often newer. Tract homes are conforming. More

home for the money.

Cons: More time in traffic if driving to town for work. Further away from

entertainment options cities

offer.

Urban.

Pros: Closer to many employers. Walking distance to theaters, restaurants,

schools. Many period

homes offer more distinctiveness in styles.

Cons: Often noisier. Higher crime rates. More expensive.

Busy Streets.

Pros: Often homes on streets with more traffic are thousands of dollars cheaper. If

noise doesn't

bother you, don't pass up homes on busy streets. Drive by at

different times of the day / week to

ascertain noise levels.

Cons: These types of homes will always sell for less than others in the same area. If

bedrooms are

located near the front of the home, sleep may be disturbed.

Cul de sac.

Pros: Number one choice of buyers with children.

Cons: Less privacy, neighbors know more about you.

Corner lots.

Pros: Often larger lots. Fewer neighbors. More visibility.

Cons: More traffic noise. More vulnerable to vehicles jumping the curb. Kids might

trespass at the

corner. More sidewalk to shovel in winter.

Type of Home

Single Family.

Pros: Good appreciation. Opportunity for gardens. More privacy. Quieter.

Cons: More expensive than our next category. More maintenance.

Condos, Townhomes, Cooperatives.

Pros: Less expensive than comparable single-family homes. Generally newer so

fewer repairs.

Lock-n-go lifestyle. No yard or exterior maintenance.

Cons: Less privacy. Noisier. Common walls and/or floors and ceilings. Sometimes no

private yard or

balcony.

Number of Stories

Single Story.

Pros: Easy wheelchair access. Some medical conditions such as bad knees make it

hard for certain

individuals to climb stairs. Easier to clean.

Cons: Can be noisier if stereos or televisions are located on the same floor as

bedrooms. Some

people feel safety is compromised if bedrooms are located at

ground level. More of the lot is

absorbed by living quarters.

More than One Story.

Pros: More living space on same foundation than a ranch home. Less noise if

entertaining on lower

level while other family members sleep upstairs.

Cons: More trips up and down the stairs to carry stuff to bedrooms. If laundry

rooms are on the

second floor, washer leaks are major. Might need dual vacuum

cleaners. It is difficult to maintain

consistent temperatures on each level without

dual heating and cooling units.

Split Levels.

Pros: Often less expensive if purchased with lower level unfinished. Higher ceilings

are appealing.

Downstairs family room separates noise levels from upstairs. More

square footage on same size lots

as ranch homes.

Cons: Less storage space. Hassle to take trash downstairs and carry groceries

upstairs or vice

versa. Kitchens tend to be smaller.

Interior Specifications

Number of Bedrooms.

Pros: Common minimum requested configurations are 3 bedrooms. Newer parents

prefer bedrooms

located on one level.

Cons: 2 bedrooms appeal primarily to first-time home buyers, singles or seniors.

However, don't

discount a two bedroom if an extra den will satisfy your space

requirements.

Number of Bathrooms.

Pros: More than one bath is preferred by most people. One bath homes are often

less expensive.

Cons: Don't pass up a one bath home is there is room to add a second bath.

Sometimes it costs less

to put in an extra bath than it does to buy a two-bath

home.

Square Footage.

Pros: larger spaces offer more room and cost less per square foot than smaller

spaces.

Cons: Don't be misled as lay-out is more important than actual square footage.

Sometimes well

designed smaller spaces appear larger.

Bonus Rooms.

Pros: Extra space for media rooms, art studios, children's playrooms, gyms,

den/study.

Cons: More expensive.

Garages

Attached.

Pros: Cheaper to build. Convenient if raining or snowing.

Cons: Higher noise levels inside the home from cars. Some people feel they are an

eye sore. If the

garage door to the house self locks, you could get locked out at an

inopportune time.

Detached.

Pros: Can be tucked away from site lines. Quieter.

Cons: More expensive to build. Farther to walk in bad weather.

Additional Considerations

School districts

Special amenities

such as fireplaces, pools or spas.

Condition

of plumbing, electrical, heating & cooling units.

Available utilities

such as cable or DSL, satellite.

Sewer

, cesspool or septic connections.

Fixers.

If you're handy with tools, you might save a lot of money if you consider

homes that need

minor improvements, fresh paint or new carpeting.

Two Story

Condominium

Downtown Home

Historical

Split Level

Waterfront

Home Types

Cul De Sac

Ranch

The Anders Team
614-527-0811

Real Estate Essentials for Home Buyers!

The Buying Process

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