“liabilities” by insurers, or the home is located in a high-risk area (like a flood zone). The latter is one of the more common reasons for higher quoted insurance costs. Do you want to live somewhere where there is an ongoing risk of disaster, evacuation, and having to live with the damage afterward? Home insurance is something you’ll have to pay for the duration of the time you live in a home, so if you can’t find an affordable quote for the property in which you’re interested, then consider that perhaps this isn’t the right home for you. On the other hand, some buyers are willing to pay a higher premium if the conditions are right — such as “breathtaking views of open water and three places,” says Bieber. “But if not, try to find a comparable house with more reasonable insurance costs.” 8. THE HOME IS A BIT TOO “UNUSUAL” A home that is “unusual” —meaning the structure, design, and/ or décor is something not necessarily found in other homes — can really appeal to a very specific type of buyer, and even be the deciding factor in the sale, but these highly customized homes are also more difficult to sell down the road. Maybe the home of your dreams contains that “unusual” or “unique” or “eclectic” or even “weird” factor, and you love it. Brian Davis, landlord and real estate investor, cautions buyers to “only buy a heavily customized or unique home if you plan to live there for a long time, and the customization is something you actively like.” Just keep in mind that not everyone has your (or the seller’s) tastes, and heavily customized homes are harder to sell down the road, as they tend to not appeal to the general public and the average home buyer.
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