Real Estate Investments

When shopping for homes, you family and friends may suggest you cross off the biggest or highest priced home in a community. The rationale for this advice is based on the belief the surrounding smaller, lower priced homes will negatively lower the value of the larger home. Therefore, when it comes time to put the larger home on the market, you’ll fetch a lower price compared to other comparably sized properties. If you stop to ponder on this concept, you’ll come to the conclusion it doesn’t make sense.

Let’s consider an imaginary situation, suppose a smaller property in a community was to increase in resell value by 6% per year and a larger property at a modest 2% per year. In a matter of several years, the smaller property would outpace the larger property in resale value-which would be unrealistic. If you apply the rules of compound interest, this concept falls flat on its face, just like the myth that high demand communities enjoy an accelerated appreciation rate.

It’s would be rare to find a situation where a larger home in a community sold for less than a smaller home. You’d be searching quite a few properties in a neighborhood to validate this fact. Whether the biggest house in a community is a good value for you hinges on your needs, your goals, and the home’s price compared to those encircling it. If you can purchase the larger home for just a little more than a smaller one, maybe it’s a good deal. But if you have to pay 50% more for the larger home, it won’t be worth it.

As you view homes for sale, don’t automatically reject the largest or most expensive properties in a community. Take the time to do a value comparison. You could pick up a home with good value.

You should also take note of the property’s square footage and attributes and compare them against your needs and dreams. If your family has a lot of members or you need extra space for a home office or just want the luxury of a bigger home, selecting the largest property in a neighborhood of smaller square footage homes by satisfy your lifestyle needs and conserve your money.

Think about the potential options you have with all that extra room. What features have you always wanted in a home but never had the extra room for? Have you ever dreamed about setting up your own art library at home or a home gym or an arts and crafts area? Would you be able to rent a portion of the house to roommates for extra income or convert part of it into an in-law suite?

As your Realtor shows you the largest properties in a neighborhood encompassed by smaller properties, consider each one for its profit potential and value pricing.