The right number of bedrooms, lots of sunny windows, a spacious kitchen ... these are just a few of the traits that prospective buyers look for when shopping for a home. But what about the surrounding neighborhood? How will you know if the location is right for you?
The quality of the neighborhood can have a significant impact on the home's overall value so it is well worth spending some time to check out the neighborhood. Here's how:
Start with the statistics - you can find information online about the area's demographics, school scores, crime rates and nearby stores, parks and other conveniences.
Visit City Hall - you can get copies of any future construction plans at your town or county's office of zoning and planning.
Get to know the area - one of the first characteristics you should notice about a neighborhood is its appearance. Take a walk around the area to get an overall view of where you might end up living. Drive through the neighborhood at various times of the day and night, during the week and on weekends. Compare what the traffic is like during rush hour to a Saturday morning. Notice if the neighborhood is quiet or if there are barking dogs or other noisy considerations.
Families with children should research local schools. Contact the school district's office to obtain school test scores and district budgets before you decide on a home.
Consider the distance from this neighborhood to your job. You may want to calculate the drive time with traffic, rather than just the actual miles. Also factor in how close you are to parks, sports complexes, shopping malls and grocery stores if these conveniences are important to you.
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