Image by Nicola since 1972 via Flickr

There are so many things to consider when buying a new home, but none are more important than location. The mantra, “location, location, location!” has been drilled into buyers’ brains for so long, but what’s all the fuss about location anyway?

It’s a sure bet that the location of your home will coincide with your quality of life. This will affect the resale value of the home in the future. Maybe you’re not thinking of going through the motions of selling the house you’re just now thinking of purchasing, but look at it as an investment.

Ask yourself if the home is within a reasonable distance of your work. Is it in a good school district? How nice is the community and what are the crime statistics? Are the sidewalks in good condition? Are there emergency services nearby? Drive around the neighborhood, even down streets you may not normally use on your daily commute, and get a feel for the place.

Consider a property with a good-sized lot or even acreage. The land on which the home sits is often more important and of more value than the actual house. It’s even a good idea to buy premium land and build your own home. Having high-quality land will give you a bigger return on your investment.

Be aware of any community developments. You want to live in a growing community, not one that sits stagnant. Regardless of whether the neighborhood is popular for historic reasons or for its progressiveness, a popular community will always thrive.

Remember, there is no perfect place to live and most people choose the house that fits their family more suitably than all others. Find the location that fits your family.