What to Look for in a New Neighborhood…

what kind of home are you looking for?

You have a couple of different options with this. Each type of home has its benefits and downsides. As we go through more factors this might help you narrow this down. The types of homes you could own include:

• Townhouse
• Condo
• single-family home
• Farm or Ranch
• Multiple Family
• Vacant Land
• etc.

Commuting and Space

Are you looking for a lot of space between neighbors, a large yard? Topics you might want to live further away from a city/town. Or are you looking for things to be easily accessible to you from your home? Things to keep in mind when making this decision are:

• the time spent maintaining a yard.
• Size of your yard
• Your commute to work
• Your distance from emergency services
• The walkability from your home to places
• The closets stores and what stores are available to you

Safety / Quality of area

This can make or break your sense of home and security, so this is an important factor to keep in mind. It could be a good idea to ask around about the area or neighborhood you are living in too. Some of these may or may not be concerns of yours but it’s good to still think about them. A few good topics to consider are:

• Is the area noisy?
• Is the street you’d be living on high trafficked?
• Is there a neighborhood watch in the neighborhood?
• Is there proper street lighting?
• What are the local Crime Statistics?

Community/culture

Are you hoping to live in a neighborhood with a close community? This is important to factor in before moving in so that your find a neighborhood that’s the right fit. Often, culture and/or community amenities can make it feel more like home. Things to consider in this decision-making process include:

• Are there community gyms or pools?
• Is there a lot of nature around?
• Access to parks, dog parks, hiking trials?
• Quality sidewalks?
• A nightlife nearby?
• Frequent community events?

What are your future plans?

When purchasing a home, you are often investing in your future. If you are planning to stay in the area for long or only for a little while, consider these factors:

• If you have kids or are planning to, are the schools good in the area?
• Is the home comfortable and leaves room for growth?
• What are the taxes like in the area?
• Are there any foreclosures or for rent signs in the area?

Picking the right home can sometimes be difficult and making sure it’s in the right neighborhood is a huge influence on that. So now that you have gone through these questions. I suggest you write down your ideal home, including all these factors. And start looking for a home in neighborhoods that come closest to your needs!