There are many features that can be easily changed in homes in Metro DC— paint colors, flooring and fixtures, to name a few. However, there are also a set of home features that can be more costly than you think and should be reason enough to keep moving with your home search.

Below are three elements that should raise red flags when house hunting in Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia and the surrounding areas. And when in doubt, it is always best to defer to your real estate agent with any questions!

Location

There’s a reason the real estate phrase location, location, location is so popular. Homes located near busy intersections, major highways, noisy areas or across from shopping centers tend to have lower values than similar properties away from the chaos. Be aware of the location of the home as you are house-hunting as even if you love everything about it, this is not something you can change and will greatly affect your resale value.

Lot placement

Older homes are notorious for being placed close to the street or on busy roads simply due to the fact that walking to one’s destination was commonplace. Newer homes are often set back on a lot for more privacy and even afford Metro DC buyers with more yard space both in front and back of a home. Consider the placement of the property on the lot in your home search and if it does not grant you the privacy you desire, keep looking.

Floor plan

You have likely seen many reality television shows that make knocking down any wall inside a home look easy, but the truth is, it can be costly and much more of a project than you realize. Depending on how you’d like to rework the floor plan, you may be required to install overhead beams to distribute some of the load. If the floor plan of the home in Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and the surrounding DC Metro is not ideal for your needs, it may be best to move on with your search.

Give The Estridge Group a call today with any questions about buying a home in Metro DC, information about available homes or what to look for when considering a property.

We look forward to hearing from you!