Location

Location is everything. Imagine living in an amazing area, but you work over 50 miles away. This will not leave you with much time to enjoy everything that your neighborhood has to offer considering you will be spending most of your time commuting to work. Even though there may be a great neighborhood available 50 miles away from work, that does not mean you need to consider that home unless you are able to work from home. Commuting can be overwhelming and will create a dissatisfaction to the home you purchased.

Location plays a huge factor when it comes to the community and it's amenities. If you live in a rural area, you will most likely not find any gyms, retail stores, or things to do. However, if you enjoy the seclusiveness of a rural area, this may work for you. Drive around the surrounding area to see everything that is in proximity.

Schools

Finding A Good School System To Purchase a Home In Is a Smart Idea(No Pun Intended) For Anyone.  The home values in highly rated school districts often see the biggest gain in value and have steadier markets.  

PRO TIP: There are many online resources such as GreatSchools.org where you can look up the schools in your area and their rating. Once you have decided on a school that you believe will be best for your family, visit the school. 

Your Neighbors

Asking the locals in an area is a great way to see if you would enjoy it there. Locals will know the area best and can make you aware of the perks and issues. Most people love chatting about their neighborhood and where they live. By asking questions, you can find if most people in the area are renters or homeowners. Areas that have a majority or renters can be very different from areas with actual homeowners who have been living in the same location for quite some time. Renters have a higher chance of leaving and may not care as much about the look of their home versus someone who owns their home and may take pride in how their property looks. This plays a huge role in our next point, property values.

Property Values

The value of a property plays a huge role on choosing a neighborhood. If your desired neighborhood has high value homes this means higher taxes for your local government to provide services in the area. If a home has a declining property value it can directly impact the value of the entire neighborhood. An area that once was a great looking place to live can slowly turn into a run down location in need of some tender, love, and care.

Get Your Home's Value

Property Taxes

Taxes will vary by neighborhoods, so you should definitely consider them when buying a home. Like we stated above with property values, areas that are appreciating in value are also going to have larger taxes. Many cities have specific times of the year where they reassess home values to ensure the local government is getting the proper amount of tax revenue to provide the city with services. This is why it is not always wise to purchase a home at the top of your price range if you are buying in a neighborhood with increasing values because the taxes you pay will go up in cost as well. Purchasing at the top of your budget can make the excitement of purchasing a home become a nightmare when all your other expenses roll in.

This is why it is important to make sure you consider all the expenses that come with owning a home. We can always help you with any questions you have, so do not be scared to give us a call.

Safety

you can look at the  local police  reports to see what mischief goes on in a specific area. You can even use online resources like crime maps to get an idea of the crime rate in certain areas.

*Realtors cannot discuss criminal Activity With Clients

Pro Tip: Ring Has a Downloadable App called neighbors That shows you the local incidents in an given area. 

Bottom Line

The neighborhood that you live in can have a greater impact on your satisfaction than the home itself. The right house in the wrong area will leave you unhappy in the long-run. Research online, speak with locals, and drive around the surrounding area to determine the if the neighborhood is right for you or your family.