Are you looking for a new home? Great! There are a lot of things to keep in mind when house shopping. Things like updates, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and the school district may all be important to you, but have you ever thought about the neighborhood? The neighborhood is just as important when you think about it as anything else, but what should you look for?
How to find the right neighborhood when home shopping:
- What do you need?
- Research, research, research
- Check out the neighborhood online
- Take a tour around the neighborhood in the day/night
What do you need?
Do you want to be close to shopping? What about the school for after school activities and sporting events? Do you want to be close to a park to play with the kids or walk the dog? Do you want to live out in the country? Whatever you need — you want to keep your focus in those areas because you may find a house you love but may not fit your needs. What are you willing to give up?
Research, research, research
How is the community you are moving into? Do they have community garage sales? How is the school district? What are similar homes selling for in the area so you can determine your resale value?
Check out the neighborhood online
Are there any community groups or events online that you can research? If not, is there room for opportunity? You may be able to head up some of the committees you are interested in having.
Take a tour around the neighborhood in the day/night
Visit your potential new neighborhood in the day and in night. This will help you scope out any problem areas that you may not have noticed during the house showing. You will also be able to look at Google Maps for an aerial view if you are not able to make a neighborhood tour work with your schedule.
We understand that buying a home can be a big decision (especially if this is your first one). We want to make the process as smooth as possible. If you have questions about home buying or selling, be sure to contact one of our expert agents today.
