| When does the American dream become the | | | | and what sort of transportation do they provide |
| American nightmare? When the prospective | | | | specifically from the home to the schools the |
| homeowner does not, will not or cannot perform | | | | children will be attending? |
| their due diligence in researching all aspects of the | | | | Is the home located in or near a national or state |
| property, its surrounding environment and factors | | | | Super Fund Clean-up site because of |
| which could impact the quality of the construction | | | | contaminated groundwater? What are future plans |
| of the property and its future value. | | | | for major road expansions and/or development |
| There are many factors which could come into | | | | of freeways? |
| play affecting the potential homeowner and his | | | | Pertaining to the home itself, who was the builder |
| decision. Is the home located in an area that is | | | | and what is its reputation for quality construction. |
| stable or increasing in value as opposed to a | | | | Is the home built of block or frame construction. |
| deteriorating neighborhood? Are there a large | | | | How does the home fit the neighborhood |
| number of non-owner occupied properties which | | | | scheme? Does it stand out in a negative way? Is |
| often contribute to low maintenance and upkeep | | | | the home built on expansive soils which could |
| of the homes and their attendant yards and | | | | cause major structural damage? How old is the |
| landscape? | | | | wiring in the home and is it up to current |
| What is the long-term plan for the specific | | | | standards for materials and installation? What is |
| neighborhood and its surrounding retail and | | | | the age of the plumbing? Did the builder use |
| commercial areas according to the Master Plans | | | | polybutylene (plastic) plumbing? Is there evidence |
| of the city in which they are located? How are | | | | of plumbing leaks? Are there large trees in the |
| such areas zoned? What are the future plans for | | | | yard whose roots may compromise the sewer |
| vacant lots and agricultural areas located nearby? | | | | system? How old is the roof? Are there any signs |
| Will that dairy farm really be sold for real estate in | | | | of damaged shingles or tiles or obvious signs of |
| the near future, or are market conditions not | | | | leaks inside the home? Are there any builder |
| going to be favorable for many years to come? | | | | warranties still available? |
| Is that county landfill really going to be closed | | | | Are there obvious faults in the foundation of the |
| completely, or will it simply become a refuse | | | | home? Does the home show signs of pest |
| transfer station hosting garbage trucks from | | | | damage or infestation such as termites or |
| surrounding communities at all hours of day and | | | | scorpions? |
| night? How long will it be before the cities, | | | | So what can the wary future homeowner do? |
| counties, state and federal authorities improve the | | | | First and foremost, the use of a reputable, |
| feeder arterials into the community? | | | | experienced realtor familiar with the area can be a |
| What impact on the peaceful enjoyment of the | | | | great asset. In addition, the Arizona Department |
| home will nearby airports cause? What are the | | | | of Real Estate has published a Buyers Advisory |
| plans for expansion of the airport, both in size of | | | | Guide which walks the potential buyer through the |
| the facility and the possibility of changes in the | | | | process of due diligence, providing a number of |
| type and amount of air traffic which may be | | | | websites that may be used to gain further |
| arriving and departing the runways? Are there | | | | information and knowledge. For questions |
| plans for additional growth and development of | | | | regarding the builder, the Arizona Registrar of |
| the industrial area surrounding the airport with the | | | | Contractors is an invaluable source. Inspection by |
| accompanying increase in local traffic? | | | | a qualified home inspector will answer many |
| What services are provided by local city and | | | | questions regarding the condition of the home. |
| county entities? Where does the fire service | | | | Finally, conversations with the neighbors in the |
| come from? How far away is the local fire | | | | area being considered can be extremely helpful |
| station? How is police protection provided? Is the | | | | and revealing. |
| home served by a city sewer system or is it on | | | | So with a little work and effort, the ownership of |
| a septic and if so, how old and reliable is the | | | | a home can be The American Dream! |
| septic system? How the schools in the area are | | | | |
