Sunday, November 2, 2008

Real estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist Elizabeth Razzi respond to a question adapted from a recent online chat.

Arlington: My husband and I are first-time buyers about to start looking at homes -- existing homes, that is. Of course we'll be looking for things like solid construction and how well it's maintained, but do you have any advice for non-obvious things we should watch for?

Elizabeth Razzi: Well, I wouldn't call this non-obvious, but it's often overlooked. Make sure to pay at least as much attention to the neighborhood as to the home. Do more than a drive-by on the weekend. Take a long walk or bike ride to check out the sights, smells and sounds. Visit after dark. Try the rush-hour commute.

Maryann Haggerty: Investigate things such as tax rates, crime rates and school boundaries. What trade-offs are you willing to make? There are always some.

How about infrastructure, such as municipal sewer and water vs. septic and well?

You can get a lot of information from neighborhood e-mail lists and blogs, but don't forget the old-fashioned way -- talk to the neighbors.

E.R.: Pay attention to the homeowners association, if there is one. Read the rules before you get your heart set on buying, because they could crimp your lifestyle. For example, if the rules say no backyard fences, that could cause a problem for Fido.

The next Real Estate Live chat will be 1 p.m. Nov. 14.