How to Choose a Great Neighborhood

Choosing a neighborhood to live in is just as important as choosing the right house.

So, you finally picked the perfect home to live in and it’s everything you dreamed of and more. But what about the neighborhood? Do you know who will be living next to you?

When it comes to buying a home, neighborhood counts. Alot. One of the biggest mistakes home buyers make is failing to thoroughly investigate the area they will be living in. More people have had their dream homes turn to nightmares simply because they failed to conduct due diligence on the community they chose to call home.

Even when dealing with a real estate agent, it’s important for home buyers to remember that agents are prohibited by law to disclose or reveal any information that may be deemed biased or prejudiced. So, if you are a family with kids, living in party-central is most likely not going to be for you. As a new home buyer, it is entirely up to you as the potential new home owner to investigate the community you are considering calling home. Here are a few ways you can research your neighborhood to be sure you are picking the right one.

Drive Bys

Driving through a neighborhood is one of the best ways to get an idea of what goes on there. Driving around during the day is fine; however, nighttime or early evening is often best as that is when people are home. When driving around take note of what you see and hear. Is it quiet, or noisy? Are there cars on lawns and people hanging out on the streets? Is the place clean and litter free, or is there trash on the streets and sidewalks? What is the landscaping like at other homes in the area? Are the lawns well-kept, or overgrown, dry and full of weeds? What do the other homes look like? Are they worn down, or well-maintained? All of these things will give you a good idea of who your neighbors are as well as the living habits they practice.

Demographics

Demographics are important to know for any neighborhood you are considering living in. A great place to start is online research for the city you are planning on moving into. Most city sites have a full breakdown of the area’s demographics. Questions to consider are who lives there and what do they do? What are the professions and average income levels of those in the area? What is the percentage of home buyers versus renters? Another great source of information is the local police department. Whether online or by phone law enforcement officials can lend great insight into a community, especially when it comes to crime statistics.

Commutes

No one wants to spend long hours driving to and from work or school. Consider where you are located in proximity to where you will be spending the majority of your time during the week. If long hauls are not for you, then choosing a neighborhood that is more conveniently located will be critically important.

Schools

One sign of a great neighborhood is a well-maintained school. Distance is also another factor to consider as kids participate in after school programs, sports and other events that require time on campus. Also, the rating of the school itself is vital, as well as is safety. Be sure to investigate areas and the schools that cater to them.

Property Values and Taxes

Knowing current property values and how much they have changed over the last several years is very important when considering the future worth of your own home. Also learning of any future developments can be beneficial as they will bring changes to the area as far as traffic and taxes are concerned. Another good thing to inquire of is property taxes and how they have increased over the last few years. This gives you a great idea of increases you can expect.

Proximity

Everyone needs to get out every now and then and when they do, they like to have their amenities close to home. Parks, theaters, restaurants and grocery stores in close proximity lends to a more leisurely and carefree life and far less time-consuming days off.

Remember, you are investing in the neighborhood as much as you are the home itself, so be sure to do whatever is necessary to make your investment count!

True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a new market in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704.271.1191.