FINDING THE BEST NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Buying a home in a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle is essential. If your new neighborhood doesn’t meet your needs, the choice can cause headaches for years. The location of your home makes a significant difference in the Quality of your life. With a competitive housing market, you might need to expand your home search, but how do you decide which neighborhood is right for you? Experts recommend creating a checklist of neighborhood features you value the most. To help you narrow down your choices, consider the following.
Quality of the School System and Daily Commute. If you have children or if you’re planning to start a family, evaluating the Quality of the school system is usually at the top of the musthave list. Homes located in Quality school districts improve your home’s resell value. The best place to start is by visiting the school district’s website for information about graduation rates and test scores.
If you commute to work or other locations daily or even a couple of times a week, factor in travel time to these locations at different times throughout the day, including heaviest traffic times.
Neighborhood $menities. Think about different elements of your lifestyle and how the ideal neighborhood can complement your needs. Cheryl Moore with Core Homes shares, “If you have children, you might be drawn to a neighborhood with a pool, community green spaces, playgrounds, or close to parks. Streets with stretches of level grade are great for bikes and scooters. Older home buyers also appreciate walkable streets for convenient exercise. Lifestyle amenities such as a peaceful lake setting or a close-by golf course are big draws for people who