Moving into a new home can be a complicated process. You have to find a home that fits your lifestyle, needs, and budget. Before you even start searching for a place to buy or rent, you have to consider the location. There are a lot of things to consider when you’re hunting down the perfect neighborhood! Knowing where to begin can be challenging.
However, no neighborhood is right for every home buyer. Figuring out which community meets your needs and budget requires tedious research and some soul searching about your priorities. A good community has a big impact on your lifestyle and quality of life for you and your family. Know these steps to find the perfect neighborhood to call home:
Schools Matter
Even if you’re single or planning to have a family in the future, there’s a good reason for living near a good school. Buying a home in a community with a reputable school is more likely to be a priority, but it also can affect resale value. Years from now if you decide to sell your home, you will be able to sell it at a higher price in a neighborhood with highly rated schools than one with less desirable schools.
Properties like this are more attractive to home buyers, especially those with children already in their household or in the future. You should be aware that homes located in a good school district typically hold onto their value better than those less highly regarded areas. If you want to know more about the schools in the neighborhood you are eyeing, you can conveniently search online for the zip codes or geographical area and you’ll be able to get more information about the school. You can also seek help from your realtor, however, the fair housing act prevents realtors from providing any information directly to home buyers about specific schools.
Check Transportation Issues
Transportation is a huge factor when choosing the perfect neighborhood. Think about how far you are willing to travel from each neighborhood you’re looking to engage in your most common activities. Consider settling in a place that offers an acceptable transportation time and an easy way to get to where you want to go. Communities in the city and other prime locations are typically close to mass transit options. Any home buyer that wants to cut the commute and live a simple yet urban lifestyle may find transit-oriented communities a great fit. When you’re looking for a neighborhood, you should consider how convenient it is for you and for future potential home buyers when you’re ready to sell.
Safety First
Realtors can’t legally tell you how safe a specific neighborhood, but it’s an important aspect you should look at for an area that you want to call home. The good news is, you can find reports and statistics on crime and other relevant information online, there are websites where you can search different areas to make sure you will feel safe in your new neighborhood. Here’s what to look for in a neighborhood: See what types of crimes are most prevalent. Is it burglary, drug activity, or other crimes?
Also, look into if the crime is decreasing or increasing. You can also do this as you research: Observe if the windows and doors of the houses in the neighborhood have bars, look out for any graffiti and vandalism on walls and walkways, try to talk to neighbors, ask the police or sheriff’s office. Although it appears like a lot of work, taking time to find the perfect neighborhood is definitely worth the effort. Remember, when you do your own research, find out as well how much property taxes have gone up over the past years. If you need some advice on finding the neighborhood that suits you, contact me and let’s talk!
Photo by Emily-Jo Sutcliffe on Unsplash
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