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How to Buy a House That Will Resell

One of the major considerations you need to take into account when buying a house is whether or not you will be able to resell it, and for what price. Even if you're buying your dream house and you have no current plans to ever leave, you can't depend on circumstances to let you do that. You might have to leave one day, and if you do, you will want to get the best price for your house. There are a few things you need to think about when you buy the house that will help make it easier to sell in the future.

The biggest contributing factor to a house's resell value is usually the school districts. Houses in good school districts have a much higher value than those in poor school districts. Buying a house near good schools is a good investment- even if you don't have kids and don't plan to.

Outside of school district, you need to consider the house's general location. Is it close to a highway or another loud, busy street? Is it in a good neighborhood? How close is the nearest shopping center? If you live in a city, is the house close to public transportation or a grocery store? The prettiest house in the world is hard to resell if it's next door to a power plant.

Next, consider the house's rooms. The houses with the best resale value have more than two bedrooms and more than one bathroom. One of the bathrooms should be a master bath. The family space should be spacious, open, and informal. Houses with separate living/family rooms or formal parlors are harder to resell. Also, houses with walk-in closets almost always sell easier than those without.

Consider the number of stories the house has. Houses with one story are easier to sell than those with more than one, unless it is in a neighborhood of houses with more than one story. Don't buy a single-story ranch in a neighborhood of three story houses. You will have a hard time reselling it.

Garages are easier to resell than carports, which are easier to resell than an open driveway. This doesn't apply if you're in an urban area, where proximity to a subway or bus stop might be more important.

The house isn't the only thing to think about when trying to get a property with resale value. Lots with a view are worth more, as are lots that are level (as opposed to being on a hill, especially the bottom of a hill, which can cause flooding issues). The lot should have a decently-sized front and back yard. The backyard should be spacious, and not totally occupied by a vegetable garden or a pool. The backyard should also be easily accessed from the kitchen.

Speaking of pools, don't assume that a house with a pool will hold resale value. Pools are expensive and time-consuming to maintain, and people with pets or young kids might view them as a safety hazard. A house in an area with a neighborhood pool might be a better investment.