Finding the Right Neighborhood

Location, location, location.

Buying a home involves many nuances: kitchen size, bedroom
count, backyard space, etc … One factor that can trump even
the perfect home is the neighborhood.
Finding the right combination of home and neighborhood
hospitality that fits your unique needs can be difficult if you’re
not entirely sure what you want, or if you’re new to town. It’s
critical to do your research before deciding to buy, and often
your REALTOR® can help you find the neighborhood that’s
right for your lifestyle and that fits your budget. Here are a few
ways to get started:

1. Jot down a list of your daily activities. For example,
you might write down work, church, coffee, grocery
stores or the dry cleaners. How far would you have to
travel to each destination from your home? Do you mind
the commute?As you begin to look at neighborhoods,
keep the location of these frequent errands in mind.
2. Research the school district. The school or the city’s
education department should be able to provide you
with class size, test scores, special enrichment
programs, extracurricular activities and the percentage
of students that go on to college. No kids yet? It’s still a
good idea to consider school districts. When the time
comes to sell your home, schools could be an important
to factor to potential buyers.
3. Economic Stability. Is the neighborhood new or old?
Are home prices rising, falling or are they stable? Check
for vacant homes and apartment complexes as these
could potentially affect the value of homes in your area.
Remember, your REALTOR® is a good source for this
kind of information.
4. Check crime. You’ll want to be sure crime levels aren’t
high in your new neighborhood. Check with the local
police department for crime rates. Be sure to ask about
regular criminal activity. If burglaries are high on the list
– you might consider looking elsewhere.
5. Take a tour. The best way to get to know a potential
neighborhood is to walk or drive around. Talk with
people at local businesses or ask folks in the
neighborhood. Test out local restaurants and get to
know the environment.