In continuation of my last Blog on location, another factor to take into consideration when buying a home is the importance of outside or area influences. Again these factors may be considered as pluses or minuses depending on the buyer’s needs and lifestyle.

PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES:  Transportation access is important to many, but generally it is not considered favourable to the have your home under a flight path, or backing onto the busy rail line or highway. Many people say you get used to them over time and really don’t hear anything, but not everyone will believe that when it’s time to sell.

PARKS & SCHOOLS:  It always seems nice to have them near by, but watch out for the sports fields that often come with them as they may attract a lot of organized sports activities very near to your own backyard haven causing unwanted noise, garbage & possible parking issues on your street, especially during weekends and evenings.

COMMUNITY CENTRES/HALLS: They have a whole range of problems as above plus the added indoor functions such as noisy weddings, community dances etc.

INDUSTRY :  Sometimes a warehouse is a nice quiet neighbour but make sure you check it out during working hours for unexpected noises from trucks , forklifts or dust collectors to name a few.

OPEN SPACE:    A Great neighbour, but ask your Realtor what that nice peaceful piece of vacant land behind your potential home is zoned for. You may end up with something you do not want as a neighbour.  This does not always work as zoning does change over time.

RAVINES & STREAMS:   Seemingly a wonderful thing to back onto,   but remember these are also wild animal habitats so be cautions as some of those cute little critters sometimes like to share your space too. They are still the most desirable locations to have.

WATER RETENTION PONDS:  These also look very nice and are becoming far more popular in newer subdivisions. Just remember what they are. A location for street run off to gather & slowly seep away in a more controlled manner. If you really like the sounds & smells of nature it could be great, but sometimes that big bullfrog can be very annoying and an almost dry pond may not always smell like the wildflowers that grow around them.

WATER TOWERS:  Very peaceful neighbours just watch where the shadows fall.

BODIES OF WATER:   Lakes, Rivers & Streams are wonderful but they do put limitations on the usage of your property as one of the many conservation authorities will have some kind of control over what you are allowed to do on your own land. They also pose hazards for small children but are great fun for the older family and very beautiful in most cases.

WINDMILLS:  A new concern mostly in the country. Check to see if any may be planned near where you want to live, as many people feel there are health issues if you get too close to these stately turning towers.

GRAVEL PITS:   A necessary evil in our society as we all want what’s made with the product, but no one wants it in their backyard as there are definite noise, dust & traffic issues for many years.

SOME OF THESE THINGS MAY NOT BOTHER YOU AT ALL BUT BE AWARE AND LET YOUR REALTOR GUIDE YOU WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE.