Home Sweet Home: Why Choosing the Perfect Neighborhood is Just as Important as the House Itself
By Keith Loria
It’s easy to fall in love with a house, but buyers need to think about more than just the home itself before deciding to live there. While the home may have the perfect number of rooms, a large play area for the kids and that master bathroom you have always dreamed about, you also need to consider the neighborhood in which the home is located.
That’s why before buying any home, a buyer should explore the surrounding neighborhood and area to make sure it has everything they want and need.
For buyers with children or those thinking of starting a family, the first thing you will want to look at is the local school system. You’ll also want to research the closest parks and community centers and consider how busy the streets in the neighborhood get. Even if you are single, living in a top school district will raise your property value.
Another consideration is your daily commute to work. You’ll want to understand the traffic patterns to and from your job and figure out if you’re going to be sitting in traffic for several hours a day. Researching the local mass transit system is also important, as you may want a neighborhood that gives you the option to not have to drive to work.
Profiling the perfect neighborhood also involves scoping out the neighbors themselves. Are there a lot of kids on the block? Are there neighborhood events? Do you see a lot of fences and “Keep Out” signs? It’s never a bad idea to take a walk through the neighborhood and say hello to some of the people you see and ask about the neighborhood before putting in an offer.
Don’t forget to map out stores and restaurants in the area as well. You may be used to a five-minute drive to the local grocery store, only to find out that the home you are interested in is 25 minutes away from the nearest place to buy milk. And if you like to walk to stores and shops, make sure to tell your agent that you want a place where this is possible.
You also want to find out if your potential new home is part of a neighborhood association and if your community has lawn or construction restrictions and if there’s a yearly fee involved. The last thing you want is to find out that you can’t put those holiday decorations up because of a strict town ordinance.
Also consider warning signs that the neighborhood could be in trouble. If you see abandoned buildings, vandalism or a lot of “For Sale” signs, it could be a sign that the community is heading in the wrong direction.
A perfect home isn’t always in the perfect neighborhood and you’ll want to make sure that both meet your expectations.
For more information on choosing a good neighborhood to call home, contact me today.
LESLIE MONACO REAL ESTATE 