I came across this wonderful article in the Chicago Tribune (Finding an area with appreciation potential) about buyers purchasing homes and properties in this current market. I think it speaks to our general areas, Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada. The idea behind purchasing now and waiting for at least five years before selling, is to build some equity through appreciation, but the question is, which communities typically bring in the higher rates of appreciation. I found these following recommendations to be helpful, and in the long run keeping these points in mind should land you in just the right place.

1. Seek out a community grounded by a strong job base
2. Look for a “Walkable” community
3. Search for a subdivision with top-quality construction
4. Find a neighborhood with sales momentum

These few tips aren’t everything you need to do, but it sure is a good start. The important thing to remember is to ask questions, a lot of questions. Ask the neighbors, the police, there’s only so much a realtor can (legally) tell you, the rest you have to dig to find. So what do you think, do our communities stand up to the test of appreciating neighborhoods?

Find community info for Pasadena, San Marino, La Canada, and more.