Items to Check Before Buying in a Neighborhood

Know your neighborbood – living near friends and family can be lots of fun!

It is not only important to find a home that meets your family’s needs, but you should also research the neighborhood you will relocate to. Check out the helpful tips on researching neighborhoods!

1. Study the Current Value of Housing
   Find out what properties in the area are currently valued at. A real estate agent compares the property values from previous years and will show the appreciation or deprecation.
2. Schools/Pre-Schools/Daycare
   If you have children, a favorably-ranked school in your neighborhood is one of your first considerations when searching for a good community—research schools near the area. Check if the students perform well on standardized tests, the percentage of students in honor or AP classes, and the rate of students that enter higher levels of education after high school. It is important to know if the nearby pre-schools have openings and when registration is. Also, what age do the local daycares provide service. Will you need after school care and is it available.
3. Neighborhood Safety
   Safety and security should be your top priorities when moving to a new location. Do your homework to research specific crimes in the area. You can also visit the local police department and ask questions about which part of the neighborhood has a higher crime rate.
4. Parks & Recreation
   If you have kids, you would like to move to an area that would be fun for them. Find out if the local park and recreation provides the activities that your child is interested in or if you will need to find a private club.
5. Commuting Time
   Relocating to a new neighborhood means taking a new commute to work. Test the drive during rush hour to check if it’s manageable. Drive to the office, grocery, and other frequently visited businesses.
6.  Visit the Area & Walk Around
   Visiting the neighborhood in person before relocating there is a great idea. Walking around the area will allow you to see the community with your eyes. You might even spot eyesores in the neighborhood that you wouldn’t have seen if you only checked the community online.
7.  Dining, Shopping Essentials, Retail, & Healthcare
   If you love going to restaurants, you should check the neighborhood dining options before moving. The same goes for entertainment. When picking a neighborhood, you would like to live in a place with quick access to pharmacies, grocery stores, and emergency care clinics. Before you move, explore the city & check if the shopping venues you rely on most are in the area.
8. Talk to the Residents
   One of the best ways to get feedback about the community is by talking to neighborhood residents.
9. Work with a Real Estate Professional
   You can work with a real estate professional who knows the area well when researching the neighborhood.