When we think of real estate, the first words that come to mind are "location, Location, Location."

Besides the obvious factors that most homeowners wonder about such as schools and crime statistics, how does a homeowner get a true feel for the neighborhood? When you buy a home, you are also buying into a lifestyle. A neighborhood can be similar to finding a mate. On paper, the list may look good. The schools may have excellent ratings, the crime statistics may be low, and the curb appeal looks fantastic, but is that really the true tale signs of whether you and your neighborhood have made that love connection? I sometimes hear people complain that they just don't feel as if their neighborhood is their "home." They love their house but they wish they had more of a connection to the area.

So what can a homeowner do to get a good feel of the area?

Here are some good ideas that I give prospective homeowners:

• Drive the neighborhood at all hours of the day. Are people outside enjoying themselves - are they jogging, or taking their kids out with strollers. Are there people washing their cars in the driveways or working on their front yard? People who take the time to work on their homes and who are outside enjoying their surroundings, tend to like the neighborhood they live in.
• Strike a conversation with some of the neighbors that you see. Introduce yourself and let them know that you are thinking of buying a home. Ask them them how long they have been in their current residence and do they like it. If you have children ask them if they know anything about the schools? This is a great way to get to meet the people that will be your neighbors and get first hand information out of the horse's mouth. I once had a client who preferred her privacy and didn't like a lot of neighborly interaction. She was considering buying a house at the end of a cul de sac. She decided to talk to her prospective neighbors and found out that in this cul-de-sac, it was customary for the homeowners to throw block parties and attend social gatherings on the block on a regular basis. This was way too much coziness for her so she decided that this may not be the perfect fit for her desired seclusion.
• Visit local restaurants and businesses. After all, these are the places that you will be shopping at on a daily basis. If you can picture yourself shopping and eating at these local venues, that is a good indication that you will like the area. If you see yourself driving across town because you are not impressed or thrilled about what your area has to offer, you may want to reconsider the neighborhood.
• Check with the local chamber of commerce and see what projects are being developed. Do these stores and commercial developments fit your consumer needs?

The point is to spend time studying the location before you purchase the home. Most people would not buy a car without test driving it first. The same holds true for your area. When you buy a house, you buy into a lifestyle. Make sure your neighborhood and your lifestyle are a good match.