Buying A Home - Finding One Zoned For Your Particular Needs

As you research the local real estate market for a new home

, it's vital to sit down and think about the future changes to a prospective property you want to buy. Do you have goals of embarking on a new home business venture? Will additional family members be residing with you? There's nothing worse than buying a house only to discover you can't add a second floor or there are restrictions against establishing a home business. City zoning restrictions or city codes spell out what you can accomplish with your house. If you're planning to investigate the zoning laws for your property, it's a good idea to find out what your neighbor is authorized to do with their property.

Your initial priority is to consult with your cities municipal planning and building department to learn what's permitted in your zone. In most instances, you'll come across properties zoned for single-family residential, but it's not uncommon to discover some communities zoned for multi-family, transitional, or mixed use which includes both residential and commercial use.

Buying a home with the right zoning is imperative. If you have plans to establish a new business from home, you'll probably want a property with mixed residential and commercial zoning. It's important to keep in mind your neighbor may exercise their right to build a business or apartment complex next door.

Besides regulating what you can do with your property, zoning restrictions also spell the maximum square footage a home can be, the minimum size, number of floors, and how it's centered on the lot. There are also regulations stating the number of feet your home needs to be from the road and how much distance it has to be from your neighbor's home. These restrictions can significantly impact any future plans you may have for a new bathroom or wood deck.

You should consult with a local Realtor or real estate lawyer if you come across these circumstances:

1) You Need To Operate A Business From Home - If you have an existing home business or plan to start one in the future, make sure you check the zoning restrictions to be certain one is allowed-especially if you're looking in zones designated as residential. The city has its own set of regulations regarding the operation of a home business. If possible, try locating residents who operate businesses from their home and see how cooperative the city is.

2) You Have Renovation Plans - If you have remodeling plans or want to build onto an existing house, the city zoning codes may subject you to burdensome regulations on the type of remodeling you can perform. For example, some city regulations may prevent the addition of a second story.

3) Storing a RV or boat in your front driveway.

4) You Want To Buy Property In A Historical District - Local zoning regulations for these type of homes are very strict and designed to maintain a home's original style and color scheme.

5) You want to dispose of a tall tree.

6) Your remodeling plans are very unique or specialized.

7) You plan to raise farm animals such as sheep or hens.

by: Sarah P. Shimanski

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