If you're in the market for a home, what constitutes an "ideal" neighborhood? For some - especially younger homebuyers who are single - the ideal neighborhood is one in an urban setting close to restaurants, entertainment and work. Cities may have more crime, but they also may have other qualities that you consider attractive, such as convenience and cultural activities. Buyers with children may be looking for suburban locations, where good schools, reasonable prices, parks and porches are more attractive. The suburbs may have lower crime statistics, but may be farther from work. Yet others believe the ideal neighborhood is a rural backdrop with the peace and serenity of the outdoors.
Whatever your preference, everybody has their own opinion on what makes an ideal neighborhood. Finding a perfect neighborhood revolves around lifestyle issues - namely intangible qualities like safety, comfort, convenience, and other amenities. Regardless of what constitutes your ideal neighborhood, choosing the perfect neighborhood is one of the most difficult parts of deciding where to live. Many real estate agents urge buyers to choose a neighborhood before they choose a house. Homebuyers should decide a specific neighborhood they want to live in before they purchase a home.
Here are a few tips to find the ideal neighborhood:
Tip 1:
Start your ideal neighborhood search by scouring RealtyTrac's Neighborhood Search for neighborhood information and statistics.
Tip 2:
Contact a local real estate agent and request neighborhood information. Ask the agent: What is the median sales price? How long do homes stay on the market?
Tip 3:
Contact the homeowner's association and request information.
Tip 4:
Talk with homeowners in the neighborhood you're looking at. Ask the homeowners about the schools, the neighborhood, crime, traffic, noise and other issues.
Tip 5:
Visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. On the weekdays, visit the neighborhood in the morning and the evening. Is there traffic noise? Is the neighborhood mostly families with children or retirees?
After you have collected the neighborhood information, review all the material. Finding the ideal neighborhood takes time and commitment. Homebuyers want to thoroughly check out a neighborhood before spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home. So before you write an offer on any property, do a little homework so you can find that perfect neighborhood.
Once you've prioritized all your neighborhood amenities and features, you'll find it's much easier to focus your home search. Remember, the neighborhood is usually as important to the value of a home as what's under its roof. So start your ideal neighborhood search with RealtyTrac.
