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Choosing the Right Neighborhood is as Important as Buying the Right Home

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you. Each neighborhood has its own characteristic personality designed to appeal to different groups of people; for example, single people, growing families, two-career couples, retirees, and the like. Consider the issues listed below. You may want to print off this page and bring it with you when we look for homes. Scout out the Neighborhood! It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person. You live in more than your house. Talk with people who live there. Drive through the area at different times of the day—morning, afternoon, evening, late at night, during the week, and on the weekends. Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained. Are they painted? Are the yards well cared for? Are the parked cars in good condition, etc? Neighborhood Factors to Consider… Look for things like access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping. Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc. What does your nose tell you? Are you near adjacent commerce or agriculture? Check with the local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find out about the area. If you have children and you want to know if a sexual predator lives in the neighborhood, call the local police department. They will answer this and similar questions, such as the crime rate in the area and which crimes, if any, predominate. Look at traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day. How far is it to your anticipated place of employment? Is the neighborhood near parks, churches, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc? Does the neighborhood have its own Homeowner’s Association, Block Watch Program, etc?

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