House Regret Kind Of

Hello,

I need some advice. I am buying a house in West Babylon. I am starting to worry that we are picking the wrong area. I get mixed reviews on the area. I have spoken to a lot of people and they say there is nothing wrong with the area and other reviews say it is not a good area. I am kind of freaking out that we picked the wrong area....even though I like the home. Long Island is so expensive so unfortunately we were limited to what areas we could live in. There are a lot of beautiful towns on Long Island but they are out of our price range. I have a child and i keep worrying that this area is not good enough for her. Does anyone have first hand knowledge.

Re: House Regret Kind Of

I don't know much about the area. I just want to say, someone will have something bad to say about everywhere. Check it out for yourself and see how it feels. Check crime statistics, school information and drive around during the day and at night.
FWIW, I realized as I got older that some people looked down on the town I grew up in. I loved growing up there.

House Regret Kind Of

We recently moved from WB. I actually really liked the area. Everyone was nice and I didn't have a problem with the school. We moved because of my commute, not because of the house or neighborhood. Is it the top school district on LI -- no. But, it's not the worst either. It's an average middle class neighborhood, IMO.

Re: House Regret Kind Of

I have a very good friend who lives in West Babylon. They bought a beautiful house with low taxes. Their daughter is in 1st grade and I know they were happy with her Kindergarten. Their neighborhood seems pretty nice, from what I could tell and I know they love that there's a ton of restaurants and shopping nearby. They both work on LI so commute isn't really an issue.

Re: House Regret Kind Of

House Regret Kind Of

Can you rent in the area first?

I don’t know anything about West Babylon. Everyone has an opinion of every town on LI. I got a ton of positive feedback on where I live and it sucks. So it’s a crap shoot. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or says. People look for different things, what’s important to you won’t necessarily be important to them.

House Regret Kind Of

West Babylon is geographically a very big town and like any other, in my opinion, some parts of it are nicer than others. You should drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day and days of the week to see what type of activity goes on. Also talk to some future neighbors if you can.

Re: House Regret Kind Of

Re: House Regret Kind Of

First, let me say that a bit of "buyer's remorse" or cold feet is totally the norm when buying a house, especially among first time buyers. I see it all the time. For most people (other than the uber wealthy), it is the largest purchase you will make. And not only is it a huge financial commitment, but it's a big lifestyle commitment -- where you will live, shop, raise your family, send your kids to school.

I can remember buying my house (before I was in real estate), and the night we moved in, I was sitting there and it just felt weird and a little wrong. I remember asking my mom "did we make a mistake?" and she was like "everyone feels that way, but no." Sure enough, I settled in and got used to it, and I totally love my house. We are very happy here.

You also have to realize that EVERYONE and their mother has opinions on real estate. I mean, reading this board is proof of that. People buy one house and think they are an expert. Just because someone says it, doesn't mean it's true.

As others have said, many people make judgments about the towns and schools on LI, but what is acceptable to one person may not be to another. I don't know what the exact criticisms of West Babylon have been, so it's hard to address them. But I've sold houses there, and I think it's considered a good area, and sought after among buyers in a certain price point. More affordable than Nassau, but not too far east. Close to Babylon village, LIRR, etc.

I hear negative comments about even the most highly sought after towns. You have to cut through opinion and deal in fact, and make your own judgments about what works best for you and your family (taking into account your budget for a house).

Also, I hate to say it, but if you are already in contract, there's not much you can do now. The time to research and solicit opinions is really BEFORE signing the contract. Changing your mind now, if you are under contract, is really not an option, unless you are willing to risk your down payment.

Just to keep perspective - if in the worst case scenario, you buy the house and find out the area is not really for you, for whatever reason, you can always sell and move somewhere else if you choose to. You wouldn't be the first one to do it. I've had many clients buy houses and within a couple of years, decide they want to make a move. Not even because the area is "bad" but just because it's not the best fit for them or because a better opportunity comes along. West Babylon is an area where houses sell and there is demand, so it's not like you wouldn't be able to sell down the road.

But if you are in contract, I'd say to just go in with a positive mindset or at least an open mind, and try to find things within the community to explore and take advantage of, and really make up your own mind.

Good luck!

Message edited 9/14/2018 9:42:37 AM.

House Regret Kind Of

Thank you for all of your opinions! I am in contract so I will go in with an open mind and if worse comes to worse and feel the area is not for us we can move in a couple years. I am still extremely nervous which everyone tells me is normal. I think we have to make up our own minds but everyone does have an opinion. I think sometimes I worry about everyone's opinion and not what we want.