Should You Buy a Cul-de-Sac House?

The cul-de-sac home has been a symbol of traditional suburban life for decades. While cul-de-sacs have been built for centuries in the form of dead-end streets, they are commonly built nowadays for other reasons—one of which is to alleviate vehicle traffic.

Basically, a cul-de-sac is a street that has only one inlet/outlet. They became popular in America cities after World War II, and they are a classic symbol of suburban life. However, lately cul-de-sacs have been viewed in a negative light by some urban planners. But the popularity and charm of the cul-de-sac will always be present with homebuyers, and for good reasons.

If you’re thinking about buying a cul-de-sac home, here are some pros and cons that you should consider:

Pros

Privacy- Cul-de-sac homes offer more privacy than others because most of the traffic will come from the people that live in the cul-de-sac itself.

Good for families- Less traffic means a safer play area for children. Plus, many families who live in the same cul-de-sac often become tightly knit.

Good resell opportunities- Buyers will pay 20% more for cu-de-sac homes. (Hopefully you won’t have to when you initially buy!) But this is good news if and when you decide to resell.

Cons

More driving- It’s rather difficult to get anywhere without driving when you live in a cul-de-sac because you have to funnel the roads to get to the main road. Traffic can be a challenge once you get to the main trunk.

Less privacy- While you have more privacy from other traffic and pedestrians, you are basically living in close proximity to at least five other homes when you buy a home in a cul-de-sac. All of your neighbors will know a great deal about you.

Vehicles turning around- Many cars will drive to the cul-de-sac to turn around, and this extra traffic can pose safety issues for children who are playing.

 

Costs Involved With Homebuying

So you’ve decide to buy a home. Congratulations! Before you go shopping for the home of your dreams, you should know that homebuying involves more than simply picking out a home and paying for it. There are many costs and expenses you need to know about before you sign on the dotted line. It is wise to be prepared and know the costs ahead of time so that you can budget accordingly.

Here is a list of expenses that every new homeowner should expect and budget for:

Homeowner’s insurance- While many home buyers don’t think about it initially, insurance is necessary to protect your property in case of fire and inevitable disasters. The cost varies from company to company, and it also depends on type of policy that you need.

Moving expenses- As you probably may already know, moving can be very expensive. From packing supplies to a moving van, the expenses can run well into the hundreds of dollars. The cost will be higher if you need to hire a moving company, and it also depends on how far you are moving.

Upgrades- Your new home may not come with the appliances and features that you desire. The base price may not include the finishes and flooring that the model home. Countertops, cabinets, marble flooring, crown molding and other fixtures may not be included with the house that you fell in love with.

Necessities- You may need to have things like window coverings, fences, gates and doors installed that weren’t included on the property. Even smaller expenses like mailboxes and having the locks changed can add up for a new homeowner.

Landscaping and gardening- While perfectly cut green grass and flowers are beautiful, they can be a big expense that adds up. If you can handle the workload, you will save money, but you still need the appropriate equipment. It should go without saying that the bigger your yard and lawn are, the more money it will cost in the upkeep and maintenance. Fertilizer alone is quite expensive, not including the tools. You can hire someone to do the job on a regular basis, but naturally it is much cheaper to do it yourself.

Cable, phone and internet services- Many people don’t account for the transfer of these services, and there are additional costs for companies to set up your services in your new home.

Décor and furniture- Of course you will want to decorate your new home as soon as you move in to give a personalized look and feel. You’ll need items such as blinds, draperies and rugs to create a lived-in environment. Chances are good that you are moving to a bigger home, so you will probably need to fill it with more furniture.