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Finding the Perfect Glenview Neighborhood

By
Real Estate Agent with The Marla Schneider Team

Perfect NeighborhoodFinding the perfect Glenview house for you and your family doesn't end there. You also need that perfect house to be in the perfect neighborhood.  Once you've found a good candidate for the perfect house, here are a few tips to make sure it's also located in the perfect neighborhood:

1.  Commuting:  Take a test drive from the prospective house to your job. Is the time about what you thought it would be? Were there bottlenecks in spots where you could get stuck in traffic for long periods?

2.  Community Association:  Is the home you're looking at situated in a Glenview neighborhood that has a Community Association or Homeowner's Association (HOA)? While these entities may make for a more beautiful residential area, be sure you're OK with the rules, which may include such things as no fences or clotheslines, restrictions concerning children or pets, no washing your car in your driveway and no extra outbuildings.

3.  Noise Pollution:  Drive around the neighborhood or stop and visit with people you may see outside. Do you hear dogs barking, trains thundering by or loud traffic just over that hill?

4.  Site Survey:  While most states now require it, even if they don't, it's best to have a title search and buy title insurance to assure that all is well with your title.

5.  Outdoor Lighting:  Take a cruise through the prospective neighborhood at night, being sure to drive by the house of your dreams. Are there street lights that may be shining right into your bedroom?Or are the streets so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face?

6.  Sex Offenders:  We hate to think our neighbors might not be the best people to have close to our family but as the old saying goes, "Better safe than sorry." Toward that end, check out the neighborhood by going online to the National Sex Offender Public Website.

7.  Schools:  Make a personal visit to the schools your children would be attending. Go to a PTA meeting if possible, and talk to some of the other parents to see what problems, if any, may be rearing their ugly heads. Hopefully, you'll learn that things are going great!

8.  Area Crime:  To see statistics on area crime, go online or make a trip to the local police department to learn about the area.

Buying a house in Glenview is a big investment, and you'll want to do your homework as thoroughly as possible before you take that step. Besides the tips listed here, talking to a local Realtor® is a great way to get information about the place you may soon be calling "home"! Contact the Marla Schneider Team today by phone at 847-657-3790 or contact us online.

Comments (2)

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Definitely a great suggestion to drive the neighborhood at night.  Lighting is important for so many reasons.  But other things can be noted at night as well.  I doubt many potential buyers take the time to do this ...

Gene

Mar 01, 2012 10:18 AM
Marla Schneider
The Marla Schneider Team - Glenview, IL
Move with Marla

They probably don't but maybe now they'll realize it's important.

Mar 04, 2012 11:21 AM