Sellers, What Makes Your Neighborhood Great?

By
Real Estate Agent with Bennett Realty Solutions MD#634275

Sellers, What Makes Your Neighborhood Great?

When potential buyers view your home, they are just as interested in the surrounding area as they are in the property itself. So, before putting your home on the market, it's worth thinking about your neighborhood and its key characteristics.

Here's a good way to do that:

Imagine your friends or relatives come to visit from out of town. They may tell you that they like your neighborhood, and want to know what you enjoy most about living there.

How would you answer? 

  • Would you talk about the friendly neighbors?
  • Would you list the community events?
  • Would you name all the local shopping?
  • Would you name all the great local schools?? 
  • Would you describe the nice restaurants within walking distance?
  • Would you tell them about the easy access to public transportation? 
  • Would you tell them about the local park and playground?
  • Would you tell them about the community pool and clubhouse?
  • Would you talk about how your neighbors keep neatly manicured lawns?
  • Would you tell them about the low crime rates that give the neighborhood a sense of ease and calm?
  • Would you talk about access to medical care being close enough to get to a hospital or doctor’s office quickly?
  • Would you talk about a nearby town center or downtown with movies, theaters, bars, and nightlife?

There are probably many things about your neighborhood that make it great. What do you think are the top five? Those are probably characteristics of the area that most buyers will want to know.

Remember this. Buyers are not just buying a home — they are also buying into and becoming a part of a neighborhood and your neighborhood is a key selling feature of your property!

 

Posted by

Diana White-Pettis, Associate Broker

Exit Bennett Realty

7701 Greenbelt Rd. #100

Greenbelt, MD  20770

Office: 301-459-5040

Cell: 301-502-2669

Direct line: 240-386-1309

Email: dwhitepettis@gmail.com

Website: www.diana4yourhomesdesire.com

 

Turning Your Homes Desire into a Dream Come True!

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Comments (37)

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Diana White-Pettis ,

Congratulations on the well deserved featured post!! You are right "Buyers are not just buying a home — they are also buying into and becoming a part of a neighborhood and your neighborhood is a key selling feature of your property!" Right on!!

 

Jun 12, 2017 02:48 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Hi Dorie,


Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate it.

Jun 12, 2017 07:12 PM
Mega Team Real Estate
Realty ONE Group Alliance - San Mateo, CA
San Francisco and Peninsula Real Estate Concierge

Great post. Congrats for being feature.  

Jun 12, 2017 03:45 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Mega Team,


Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!  I really appreciate it.

Jun 12, 2017 07:14 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Before showing a property, exploring the neighborhood is essential especially if the neighborhood is unknown. Desirable properties are located in desirable neighborhoods, so your illustration about the neighborhood is an important consideration and I totally agree with your perspective.  

Jun 12, 2017 07:25 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Hi Kimo,


I agree that it helpful for me to explore the neighborhood before showing a property, especially if I'm not completely familiar with it.  Thanks so much for your comment.  I appreciate you taking the time to stop by!

Jun 13, 2017 10:43 AM
Stavrula "Sam" Crafa, RNC,GRI, CDPE, PSA
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Providing the integrity and service you deserve.

When you ask a buyer what they are looking for, don't most of them say they want to be in a nice neighborhood? Makes perfect sense that you would not only want to promote the home but the neighborhood it's in. Great post and great idea. 

Jun 12, 2017 07:40 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Sam,


That's what buyers say, indeed!  Thanks for stopping by with a comment.

Jun 13, 2017 10:44 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

All that information is wonderful to share with a buyer - great post and congrats on your feature

Jun 13, 2017 03:53 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Lise,


Thank you for taking the time to stop by and to leave a comment!

Jun 13, 2017 10:45 AM
Tracy Santrock
Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC
Raleigh - Cary Broker

These are great questions to ask to help sellers Market their neighborhood and help their home stand out amongst others!

Jun 13, 2017 05:15 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Tracy,


Marketing is the key and the answers can help us so much in positioning the home to standout from amongst the others.  Thanks for your comment!


 

Jun 13, 2017 10:48 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Yes, the neighborhood is a part of the equation for buyers.

When Listing a home, I like to ask some of your questions of the Seller.

Their answers can become a part of the marketing.

Thanks

Jun 13, 2017 05:49 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Hi John,


As much as we can get sellers to think beyond just selling the home, the better we can market the property.  Thanks for your comments! 

Jun 13, 2017 10:51 AM
Eileen Burns
Trans State Commercial RE Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/Palm Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Congrats on your featured post Diana.  Your post shows how people listen, and in this instance, read at different speeds.  You did ask a question which many have overlooked answering in their comments.  Happy Tuesday 

Jun 13, 2017 08:58 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Eileen,


Happy Tuesday! I hope people find the post helpful as they work with sellers in marketing properties and think about their own top five.  Thanks for your comment!

Jun 13, 2017 10:54 AM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Kudos, Diana, and thanks for these handy prompts to help get sellers talking. 

Jun 13, 2017 10:16 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Elva,


Let's get them talking so we can get to selling! Thanks for your comment.

Jun 13, 2017 10:55 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Great insights!!! Thanks

Buyers are not just buying a home — they are also buying into and becoming a part of a neighborhood and your neighborhood is a key selling feature of your property!

 

Jun 13, 2017 11:31 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Sham,


Thanks for stopping by with a comment.  I really appreciate it!

Jun 13, 2017 02:23 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc 610-225-7400 - Devon, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Good post with excellent points to consider.

Jun 13, 2017 12:22 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Nick & Trudy,


Thanks for stopping by with a comment.  I really appreciate it!

Jun 13, 2017 02:24 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

My husband and I are caring for our grandson while his parents enjoy a get-away. We are staying in their house in Wheaton, IL. While at lunch yesterday with my mom who lives an hour away, I told her that if I were ever to move back to IL, Wheaton would be my choice. My stepson and his family live in a very modest neighborhood of one-level ranch homes built in the 1950's. However, they are 7 minutes away from everything; shopping, dining, banking, recreation. You name it and they can get there in under 10 minutes. Plus, there is a commuter train to Chicago within a mile of their home. They can enjoy a day/night out without fighting the traffic into the city. The neighbors take pride in their homes and yards. The grass is so green it looks and feels like carpet. That's why blogging is such a wonderful way to promote our listings. We can paint a picture that sells a home.

Jun 13, 2017 01:32 PM
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

Tammie,

Sounds like your stepson and his family live in a great neighborhood...in close proximity to shops, restaurants, recreation, transportation, etc.  You can't ask for more than that!  Thanks for your comment.  I really appreciate it!

Jun 13, 2017 02:28 PM
Eva B. Liland Century 21 Doug Anderson
Century 21 Doug Anderson - Lancaster, CA
Glad to be of Service 661-714-1643

The more you know about the neighborhood the better. All your questions should be asked to the seller when taking a listing.

Jun 15, 2017 09:45 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Eva,


I agree that the more you know about the neighborhood the better.  Thanks for stopping by with a comment!

Jun 22, 2017 09:16 AM
M SQUARE
Realty One Group Alliance - San Mateo, CA
Broker Associate & Licensed Architect

Great! and thank you for the sharing the idea. 

Jun 15, 2017 04:32 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Thanks for stopping by with a comment!

Jun 22, 2017 09:15 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Diana,

Those are all things that make life more pleasant. I especially like nice neighbors, although you often do not find that out until much later. Mine are terrific, so I am a lucky duck in that regard.

Jun 15, 2017 08:39 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Dorte,


It's always a good thing thing when we have terrific neighbors. Thanks for stopping by with a comment!

Jun 22, 2017 09:15 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

It's critical to know about area amenities, not just the sales.  Great post and list of potential items to investigate!

Jun 20, 2017 07:10 PM
Diana White-Pettis

Thanks you and thanks for stopping by with a comment!

Jun 22, 2017 09:13 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

Hi Diana!  I absolutely LOVE this post! It is SO true - they're not buying into the home itself, it's the community they have to fall in love with first!  I always suggest to my buyers, "Let's FIRST find the neighborhoods you love, then find your dream home within one of them!"  It works to help focus too but, honestly, the schools, the neighborhood and THEN the home...in that order too!  

Happy Sunday, Diana!

Jun 25, 2017 07:40 AM
Diana White-Pettis

Hi Debe,


Thank you so much!  Happy Sunday to you!

Jun 25, 2017 09:29 AM
Eva B. Liland Century 21 Doug Anderson
Century 21 Doug Anderson - Lancaster, CA
Glad to be of Service 661-714-1643

All the questions you asked are "Save worthy" and one could actually build a website around them! Hmm, you got my head spinning, lol.

Jun 25, 2017 07:47 AM
Diana White-Pettis

I'm glad you found the post helpful anf "save worthy".  Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment.  Happy Sunday!

Jun 25, 2017 09:29 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Keller Williams Select Realtors-Buy a home in Washington DC. Sell a home in Washington DC - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

All this information is great to ask a seller as well to help you market their house for sale to get it SOLD for top dollars. Though I wouldn't mention anything about the crime rate even if it is very low. I tell them to always get a POLICE REPORT so they can see it themselves.

 

But thank you for sharing this Great post.

Nov 21, 2018 09:53 AM