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10 Neighborhood Considerations

 

Whether seeking solace, activity, schools, parks, views, every homebuyer looks for a different combination of attributes in a new community.  Choosing a neighborhood that suits your needs and wants is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process; your choice of environment will affect the way you experience your new home.  This is a very personal decision, influenced by countless unique factors coloring your own lives, but you should always keep the following in mind. You can always improve on a property in many ways, however the neighborhood is inherent.

 

  1. If you’re considering buying a home in a community that is unfamiliar to you, get to know its lay-out, offerings, and ambiance.  Dedicate some time to walk or drive through the neighborhood, on your own both during the day and at night when you have not time pressures of pre-scheduled appointment, familiarizing yourself with the sights, sounds, and scents or the area. If the neighborhood is not suitable to you, then you will have just saved yourself a great deal or time looking at homes in that neighborhood that would be ultimately or not be a fit for you. 

 

  1. What amenities does the neighborhood have to offer?  Is the neighborhood convenient to major highways, or perhaps too close to major roadways? Is public transportation readily accessible?  Are there schools, parks, or grocery stores within reach?  If you have children that are of school age, consider researching the actual schools in the area. Utilize GreatSchools,com to do some early research, and also set up appointment in advance to tour the school. .

 

  1. What is the nature of the job market in the area?  Keep in mind that if area employers are producing more jobs, you can expect property values to increase, especially if the jobs offered fall within a higher salary bracket.

 

  1. Speak with the neighbors.  Ask questions.  They can offer you a wealth of information, from an inside perspective.

 

  1. How will you be affected by a new commute to work?  Drive the route between the new neighborhood and your office during the appropriate times to gauge the volume of traffic you could expect to encounter, and the amount of time you’d need to put aside for daily travel.

 

  1. Contact local land-use and zoning officials to determine existing development plans or potential for development in the area.  A strong agenda for neighborhood planning and local zoning will increase the value and draw of a neighborhood.  Keep in mind that any large, tree-covered area may be a target for future development in popular communities.

 

  1. Determine whether financial resources have been put in place to support infrastructure projects in the area.  These construction projects might include building, replacing, or improving anything from schools to roads, and are usually part of a city or town’s long-term plan.  While disruptive, construction could also be a benefit to your experience of a community, influencing the long-term value of the area. 

 

  1. Observe the condition of the surrounding properties, their curb appeal, are their freshly cut rose bushes, or old cars stored in the yard. Are the streets checkered with bicycles and children’s toys, populated with RV or otherwise, these clues can give you insight into the feel of a neighborhood.

 

  1. Research, research, research. The internet offers infinite amounts of information regarding every community Most likely you will get bits and pieces of information from several sources to piece together your overall picture of the key aspects that are meaningful to you regarding a  neighborhood

 

  1. Trust your gut. There is often a 6th sense that one experiences when driving through an area whether it will suit you and if to you it feels like a place you would call “home”.
This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You should rely on this information only to decide whether or not to further investigate a particular property. BEFORE MAKING ANY OTHER DECISION, YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY INVESTIGATE THE FACTS (e.g. square footage and lot size) with the assistance of an appropriate professional. You may use this information only to identify properties you may be interested in investigating further. All uses except for personal, non-commercial use in accordance with the foregoing purpose are prohibited. Redistribution or copying of this information, any photographs or video tours is strictly prohibited. This information is derived from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) service provided by San Diego Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Displayed property listings may be held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent responsible for this display. The information and any photographs and video tours and the compilation from which they are derived is protected by copyright. Compilation © 2024 San Diego Multiple Listing Service, Inc.