Finding The Right Neighborhood
Finding the right house that fits your needs is at the top of the list of desired qualities
, but where that house is has a large effect on what you can and cannot do, your commute, the people around you, safety, schools, shopping, eating...your entire life.
Make sure you find a solid area that fits your needs, lifestyle, and the lifestyle you want to live. The neighborhood is half of the investment you are making when purchasing a home, it can be good or it can be bad.
The first step, as with most big decisions in life, is to do your research. Find the type of house you want and where you can find it. The odds are you find a really modern condo setting in the country, just as you won't find a quaint little cottage in the middle of the city.
Find the type of environments that are available to you and the lifestyle you are seeking. If you are a young, single bachelor or bachelorette who enjoys the night life and the rush of the city scene, maybe a condo or town-home in the city is just the right fit and your search should start there.
But if you have a family and want to live on a safe street that your kids can play on and is close to good schools, a suburban area would probably be the best choice. It really all depends on what your personal want and needs are, and where that type of lifestyle is offered.
A lot of people-young and old, single or married, kids or no kids-just want to be safe and feel safe. So when you are checking out certain neighborhoods, research the crime statistics and demographics of the area.
Public records will let you know of any crime activity in the area, and talking to neighbors will give you a good idea of how safe they feel. Neighbors will give you real answers on what they think and if they've ever witnessed or been the victim of crime in the area.
Though real estate agents mean well, the odds of them giving you legitimate information and not just try sell you a house are pretty slim. That is why you need to do your own research, talk to neighbors, ask the local police station, and check public records for crime statistics.
You should also take it upon yourself to check out the neighborhood at different times of the day and week without your real estate agent. Walk around on the weekends and weekdays and see what is going on around you; is it quiet or noisy, is there a lot of through traffic or not so much?
Also drive around in the evenings, on weekdays and weekends, and make sure that you don't see any suspicious people wandering around, or loud noises in homes. These can all be signs of a shady area that you may not feel comfortable or safe living in.
Also check the demographics in the area to see if you will fit in with your surroundings. Typically older homes are owned by elderly people, apartments are owned by young single people, and newer construction is dominated by young families.
Usually suburban areas have a lesser crime rate than that of urban and metropolitan areas. On the other hand, the suburbs are more secluded and are farther away from food, shopping, entertainment, and office buildings. Before purchasing a residential property, decide which demographic you fit into or would feel comfortable living with.
It is important to know all of these things before deciding to purchase a home, it would be a terrible thing to put all of that money into a piece of property only to find out the area it is located in is not what you wanted or expected. Save yourself the heartache, and check out the neighborhood and the people in it before making one of the largest purchases you will ever make.
by: Jack Landry
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