10 mistakes buyers make | Part 2: Choosing the right house

9. Location mistakes

By Rona Fischman
September 12, 2008

Premature need to sell

Location is the thing you can't change. Make sure your compromise is something you can live with. Some people don't mind noise; are you one of them? Consider location problems posed by weather conditions: is the hill going to be impossible to climb in the winter? Will the air conditioner from the business next door hum all summer? Can you get used to hearing your neighbors in their shower?

If these things will continue to bother you, then you may want to sell too soon.

It's harder to sell in a down market

If the location will bother some people, it will reduce the number of interested buyers. That's why homes in bad locations sell for less. When the market is hot, more people compromise on location. When the market is soft, few have to. If you are compromising on location, make sure you are getting enough of a discount to make it worth it to you.