Searching for the perfect home is hard. You have a certain idea of what you want in mind, which may or may not be realistic according to your budget. What happens if your budget does not permit you to find the home you want, in the area you want? Do you compromise on the home or on the location? Every person is different when it comes to this decision. However, what many people don’t realize is that every neighborhood is consistently changing and what you may have thought about a specific neighborhood 5 years ago, has likely changed today. With that in mind, us girls at New Home Resource decided to help by listing a few things to consider when choosing an area best suited for your needs.
Crime Rates
Unfortunately, crime is everywhere. It goes without saying that the level of crime in a neighborhood is a serious consideration when determining where you want to live. No one wants to live in an area with high home robbery rates and violent street crimes. Do your research on local crime rates through sites such as Trulia’s Crime Map or by contacting the local law enforcement office.
School Districts
The importance of school districts is a factor that many people fail to consider. If you have, or plan on having children, making sure that your home falls within the district of a respected school is important. In fact, even if children are not in your future, it’s still a factor to consider if you plan on leasing-out or selling your home later on. Using a website such as Great Schools will help you determine the rating of schools in the neighborhoods in which you are considering. Go one step further by attending a PTA meeting and talk to other parents about the school’s curriculum and budgets.
Curb Appeal
Take a look at the neighborhood. Is it one that has been kept in good condition? Have the streets been cleaned and the trash collected? Find out by taking a drive through the area looking for signs of financial trouble. Understandably, some of the best deals in town are homes that are either short sales or foreclosures, and some areas have been hit harder by the recession. With the way the economy is improving, it’s a great sign that these areas are on the way up too.
Community
Before buying a home, make sure it’s in a community in which you’d be happy to live. How can you do this? By talking to the neighbors, visiting at different times of the day and night, and researching the local amenities. Drive around and look at parks, playgrounds, retail areas, etc. By visiting at different times of the day and night you can really make sure that this will be a home that you’ll be happy to live in. Every time of day sees a different atmosphere. If you work from home, will you be able to concentrate with the noise levels?
Lifestyle
Buying a home isn’t just about the house, it’s about your whole lifestyle. Does this home fit your lifestyle? If you’re a big foodie, visit the local food joints. Can you see yourself being satisfied by what’s offered? If you like to going to bars, make sure the local ones fit your scene. If you love to get outdoors and be active, check out local parks, hiking trials and gym amenities. Be realistic and prioritize factors based on how much you actually engage in those activities. There’s no point moving to the outskirts of a town for hiking trails if you realistically only use them once a month.
Commuting
More often than not, the areas in which we work are not the areas in which we want to live, however commuting time can make or break your decision to buy a home. Try driving different routes from the house to your workplace during what would be your commuting time. Is the commute time realistic between dropping off the kids at school and rush hour traffic? Does the cost of gas or public transport to get to work exceed your budget? Check out local government websites, are there going to be any major road repairs that will affect your commute to work?
When we take into consideration all of these factors, we are often left with one or two areas that fit our needs and desires. Now it’s time to follow your gut and go with your heart! Let the gals at New Home Resource help.
If you are looking for a new home, please contact Joanna Piette, Denise Moreno Thrasher, Heather Brockhurst, or Evelyn Beng Kern at New Home Resource today. (702) 365-1000.