While many people worry about picking their dream home to live in, choosing the right neighborhood is equally important. If you’re going to be living somewhere for a long-time, you want to make sure that the area is appropriate for you and your family.
However, understandably, knowing where to get started can be challenging. There are a lot of things that you need to watch out for when browsing at properties.
In this article, we are going to take a look at ten things that you will need to take into consideration when choosing a neighborhood.
Sound interesting? Then let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Lifestyle
We all have our own lifestyle, so when it comes time to select a neighborhood, you’ll need to think about yours carefully. A family of six is going to require something entirely different from a single couple who don’t plan on having children.
Luckily, it’s very easy to browse communities so that you can get an idea of what areas are best for you. Check out these new homes in Utah, for example. There are plenty of options out there if you know where to look.
Safety
One of the most critical factors that will influence the neighborhood you choose is safety. Understandably, you want to make sure that you, your family, and your possessions are secure.
You should be able to do a quick google search to determine the crime rates of an area. However, your real estate agent should also be able to provide some insight. Just keep in mind that no place will ever be 100% crime-free.
Schools
Depending on where you live, there is a good chance that the school your children will attend will fall on the zone you reside in. This is certainly something that you will want to think about, as it can affect you in a couple of different ways.
Firstly, if you have kids, you may want them to attend a particular school based on its reputation. Secondly, if you don’t have children, the location may impact your home’s sale value in the future.
Shopping and Restaurants
While nearby shopping and restaurants shouldn’t be the only thing that impacts where you choose to buy your home, it is very important for some people. For example, you may want to be able to quickly run to the grocery store if you need something instead of battling a traffic jam.
Alongside this, choosing a property close to these facilities may improve value later on. If you can get a good deal, you may be able to make some serious profit in the future if you do wish to resell.
Outdoor Activities
Everybody wants to be able to live in an area that has a wide selection of things to do. When looking at your options, make sure you see what outdoor activities are available. The last thing you want is to be bored.
For instance, things such as parks, walking routes, and tennis courts are all highly desired. You may also want to be close to public libraries or a swimming pool. Remember the ‘lifestyle’ that we talked about above? That’s where this comes in.
Transport and Commute
Perhaps one of the most vital aspects that will be a major deciding factor when choosing where to live is your transport and commute options. If you don’t own a car, you need to have access to public transportation. Alternatively, if you will be driving, you’ll need to think about commute time.
While a 20-minute drive may not seem like that much, doing it every day to and from work can be exhausting, especially when you factor in traffic. You don’t want to end up wearing yourself out.
Pride in Ownership
An easy way to determine the reputation of a neighborhood is to take a look at how other homes are being cared for. If the nearby owners look like they have been caring for their lawn and take pride in their property, it’s a very positive sign.
While this won’t be the only thing you should look for, it is something that you can keep an eye on when you are driving through the streets. You want to increase your chances of getting good neighbors.
A few other things to check out include:
– Bars on windows.
– Signage and graffiti.
– Broken mailboxes.
– Trash and litter.
Walkability
Above we talked about the commute, but depending on your situation, you might want a property that is more centrally located. Walkability is very important for some families, so make sure that you factor it in when looking at the neighborhood.
While it’s unlikely that you will find a home that is close to your children’s school, work, and your favorite restaurant, you may be able to tick one or two off the list. It’s all about doing your research.
Future Plans
Sometimes a property may be selling at a great price because the neighborhood has future plans for a big project. Before you make your decision, you want to double-check if there will be any significant changes to the area.
While you may be ok with it, it’s better to know before you go signing any paperwork. You don’t want to suddenly find out that you will be living next to a construction site for the next two years.
Available Properties
Finally, and most obviously, the most important thing to watch out for when looking at neighborhoods is the available properties. You may fall in love with somewhere, only to find out that there are no homes for sale that are within your mortgage budget.
Speak to your real estate agent, and ask for their suggestions. They will be able to help you choose a location that meets as many of your requirements as possible.
Final Words
By thinking about the above carefully, you will be able to find somewhere that is perfect for you and your situation. It may seem like a lot of things to go through, but you will be grateful for planning ahead.
Good luck.
