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Top Ten Tips for Researching a Neighborhood

By
Real Estate Agent with GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881

I had the saddest listing appointment of my career this week.  I sat down with a homeowner who wanted to sell because they could not stand their neighborhood (I was NOT their agent when they purchased the home).  The house was renovated and cute as a button, but the neighborhood was what they could not tolerate.  And they just moved into their house in November of last year.  I explained her options and how she would have to bring a check to closing as this is not a hardship sale and would not qualify for a short sale.  She was so surprised and had no idea that she could not just sell the house again and not have any financial outlay.  This situation illustrated how important it is for buyers to thoroughly research a home before they sign that offer to purchase.  Here are my top ten tips for what to do when researching a home and neighborhood.


Tip #1:  Check the crime statistics for the neighborhood, including the sex offender registry.  It is amazing what can be found online and all counties in the Hampton Roads area publish this information.  If you don't know where to look, ask your Realtor.  When serving as a buyer agent, I will not proceed with writing a purchase offer until I am sure that my buyers have done this research, even if it means sitting them down in front of a computer in my office so that they can do the search before we continue to sign the papers.

Tip #2:  Check the school ratings.  My favorite source for this information is www.GreatSchools.net.  Your Realtor will not do this research for you!  They can't.  It has to do with something called "steering" and that is a big no-no in real estate.  So do the research yourself and make sure that the schools meet your criteria.  Even if you don't have children, the ratings for schools can make a difference when you plan to sell your home.

Tip #3: Visit the neighborhood at different times of day, including weekends and weekdays.  Is it hard to find a place to park?  Are there loud noises or parties?

Tip #4:  If you see a neighbor when expoloring the neighborhood, ask them what it is like to live in there.   They may give you some valuable information.  If you are buying in the winter, you might want to ask if there are unpleasant odors in the summer or other times of the year.

Tip #5: Find out if the neighborhood ever floods.  Even if it is not in a flood zone or is near the water, there might be times when the streets flood due to inadequate drainage.  Again, neighbors can be a great source of this information.

Tip #6: Check online to see if the county has any re-zoning plans for the neighborhood.  These plans are usually located on the website for the locality.

Tip #7: Check online to see if the school system is about to be redistricted.  The home may currently be located in an area zoned for a particular school system, but plans may be in place to change this in the future.  Even if you purchase in a particular school system, there is no guarantee that the cities will not redistrict later.  But it is best to make sure you understand the current plans for the schools in the area.

Tip #8: Do a test run for your work commute.  This should be done at the time that you would normally drive to work.  Make sure that this commute time is acceptable.

Tip #9:  Check to make sure the home consistent with the other homes in the neighborhood in terms of its features and attributes.  If a house is inconsistent with the look of the other homes in the neighborhood, this can make it more difficult when it comes time to sell.

Tip #10:  Determine whether the neighbors keep up with their yardwork.  If other homes in the area appear to be neglected, it could be a sign of bad things to come.


Just like in marriage, when a whole family comes with your new spouse, when buying a home, you also get the neighborhood.  You should research your new neighborhood just like you would your new home.  Your Realtor can help you with a lot of this and give you advice on the best sources of information for areas that they cannot address.

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(c) Copyright 2012 Kathryn Maguire.  All rights reserved.

Kathryn Maguire, MBA, GRI, ABR, SFR, and e-Pro  

The Real Estate Group

Serving all of Hampton Roads, Virginia, including Chesapeake, Virginia Beach. Norfolk, Suffolk and Portsmouth

GreatChesapeakeHomes.com

GreatNorfolkHomes.com

GreatVABeachHomes.com

Kathryn@MyAgentKathryn.com

(757) 560-0881 (Cell)

(757) 410-8500 (Office)

(888) 696-2613 (Fax)

Comments (9)

Jenna Dixon
Momentum Real Estate Group LLC - Marietta, GA
55 & Over | New Constructions | Horse Farms

GREAT List.  I often wonder whether buyers consider such things...sometimes it seems that they get SO smitten with the home they are buying they forget about all of the things that you mentioned. 

Even when I try to bring up things that should be considered, their eyes just glaze over as they visualize the new granite countertops!

May 27, 2010 03:32 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

Thanks for the comments, Jenna!  The other thing is there are some things we, as Realtors, can't do for them (out of fear that it will be considered steering).  They have to do it themselves.

May 27, 2010 03:35 AM
David Okada
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Service-Beyond Your Expectations

Good advice. I'm sure many buyers do not take the time to research sufficiently  within the neighborhood they are considering to purchase. In the news recently Little Falls ,NJ was on front pages because of the flooding with excessive rain. If youlook at the real estate on a sunny day, its a beuatiful area. Thanks for the tips and I feel for your client. 

May 27, 2010 03:37 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

One of the top 5 questions on my list for for buyers and tenants is:  WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

It is essential that buyers and tenants know something about the area for which they are considering.

More often than not, the answer to the is I don't care, I just want a nice house for my ......

In reality, they do care and what they really want, is much more than they have given though to.

May 27, 2010 03:39 AM
Coach KC™
Prosperitor LLC dba Secured Futures - Baldwin, NY
Marketing • Productivity • Revenue • Development

Kathryn,

You bring up several great points. Thanks for posting this, it is sure to be helpful to agents that pass it on and their prospective clients.

 

Coach KC

May 27, 2010 03:41 AM
Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

Great points Kathryn!  Here in Maine, just introducing yourself to a neighbor will usually start a long conversation full of more info than you thought possible.

May 27, 2010 03:48 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

David, the woman I sat with actually won't be my client...she is stuck in the house they bought because they did not do their homework.  They don't have the money to make up the expenses of selling a home in which they have negative equity (VA Loan with the funding fee wrapped in).  But I wanted to get the word out there to protect others.  Her agent that helped her buy the house certainly did not.

Charita, glad I am not the only one who sees buyers with stars in their eyes over the bells and whistles inside.

Coach, thanks for reblogging!  I hope to spread the word!  AR is a great platform.

Kristen, I love finding a talkative neighbors.  They can be a great resource to my buyer clients.  In Virginia, we also have so many friendly folks who are more than happy to share.

May 27, 2010 06:10 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Kathryn, these are excellent things to consider when moving to a neighborhood.  I suggest my buyers do the same things before making a purchase.

May 30, 2010 07:24 AM
Anonymous
Lucy

A good list.  I agree that buyers should drive around in different times and talk to neighbors but some of them could be done by the agents: item 2, 5, 6, & 7.    If a realtor is not familiar with the locality or beighborhood, he/she should consult with their collegues who are either a resident of the neighborhood or had more knowledge of it.  Buyers do rely and appreciate thesekind of valuable information.

Feb 10, 2011 10:50 AM
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