Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
The neighborhood you chose can have a big impact on your
lifestyle—safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their
part.
Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in
regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to
travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engage in your most
common activities.
Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town
can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage
of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you
have school-age children, also considering paying a visit to schools in
the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a
house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
Another source is SchoolMatch.com
Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for
neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes
but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of
increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part
of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area? Another source is
www.homestore.com
Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your
local city economic development office to see if income and property
values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage
of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but
do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or
homes that have been for sale for months?
See if you’ll make money. Ask a local Realtor®® or call the local
Realtor®® Association to get information about price appreciation trends
in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future
results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment
your home will be. A Realtor®® or the government planning agency may
also be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in
the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.
See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three
neighborhoods, go there and walk around. Are homes tidy and well
maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with
people working or playing outside.
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