What to Look for in a Neighborhood When Buying a Home
Many people have made the mistake of falling in love with a
home without even checking out the neighborhood. You can never really fully love a house if
you don’t like the neighborhood you are in. Buying a home is not the same as buying
a television or computer. You cannot return a mortgage once you realize it’s
not what you want.
I
live in Riverside California which is in Southern California. My family
moved to So. Cal when I was three years old from Memphis Tennessee to San
Bernardino. I moved to Riverside with my family 12 years ago so my daughters would be close enough to commute to the University of Riverside, since some of them had expressed interest in attending. So although I am a Tennessean, I
consider myself a Californian. I love Riverside for two reasons: One, the
cost of housing. I live in a little mansion in Riverside in a great
neighborhood that would have cost me millions in Orange County or Los Angeles.
Two, the community. I live near the University of Riverside in an
area called Canyon Crest. It's a quiet neighborhood with great parks and
a wonderful vibe. I am surrounded by
great parks, upscale local shopping centers, hiking trails and freeway access
to get to anywhere I want to go. The Mission Inn Hotel is a landmark in
Riverside and it is a spectacle to see during Christmas. The FOX Theater is bring headliner talent to
Riverside. Our convention center is
state of art and a work of art. I can go
on and on about Riverside. Oh we have
Wi-Fi in the entire city. How wonderful
is that? Although, I hate that I am in a
homeowner association, I also love it at the same time because it keeps
everybody in line. You must keep your home up to live in my
neighborhood. I am happy I didn't
choose to live in another area. I love Riverside. I am most likely going to
retire here and one day run for Mayor.
Don't hold me to that.
If
you want to be as lucky as I am by loving the neighborhood that I am in, here
are some things you should look for when buying a home.
1.
First
impressions – Many homeowners buy their homes because of a good first
impression. Did you have a good first impression when you first saw the
neighborhood? Are the houses well-maintained and do the streets have good
appeal? You want to feel good about where you buy your home.
2.
Good
schools – Do you have children or do you plan to have children? Many
parents are concerned about the availability of good school systems in their
neighborhoods. Good schools ensure a consistent demand for properties and
higher resale prices. Even if you don’t have kids, it would be nice to know
that you have that option in the future.
3.
Recreation
– Families would want to know if the parks are clean and if recreation centers are
in good condition. Retired couples may be more interested in social clubs that
host weekend parties. A young single person might be interested in bike trails
or nearby dog parks. Different amenities hold different importance to many
people. Find activities that interest you the most.
4.
Convenience
– Imagine picking up groceries, filling up a prescription and buying a
last-minute birthday gift. Will it be convenient to get several errands done in
a day? It would also help to know where the nearest hospital and police station
are located to know their proximity in case an emergency happens.
5.
Availability
of public transportation – Not everyone has a car so knowing about the
availability of public transportation should be considered. How far are you
willing to commute? Would you be willing to get a car? Hopping on a bus or train
may be a better option considering today’s rising fuel costs.
6.
Annoying
sounds and smells – Notice sounds that come from a nearby airport, highway,
train track or hospital. It won’t be very
relaxing to hear trains screech while your drink your coffee every morning. Although
you can’t experience any unpleasant smells off the Internet, ask around for any
bad odors that might affect your decision to live in an area.
7.
Foreclosures
& for rent signs – Many foreclosure and for rent signs may be signs of
trouble. When a community goes down, the value of your house goes down with it.
If you find yourself in a neighborhood with too many empty houses, find out
whether the area is financially stable.
8. Low crime
rate – There are many real estate websites that offer statistics of zip code
crime rates compared to the national average. Most of the time, your real
estate agent should be able to provide this information as well. Living in a
safe neighborhood will undoubtedly help you sleep better at night. Try looking up your future address at
www.crimereport.com. You might be
surprise who is living next to you and what is happening in the neighborhood.
9.
Culture
– Since you’ll be living with these people for years, it would be good to find
out how it would be like living there. Talk to potential neighbors or start a
conversation with the waitress at the nearby coffee shop. Ask yourself if it
would be the kind of community you could be a part of. If the neighborhood does
not fit your lifestyle, you most probably won’t be happy living there.
10.
Future
plans – Do you see yourself living in the same neighborhood 10, 20 or 30
years from now? An outdated kitchen can easily be remodeled but a neighborhood
is more difficult to change. You can
find out about future houses in your area with the city planning department homeowner’s
association. Future plans in the area will most likely affect your decision.
Figure out what you are looking for and what remain
important to you and your family. You would probably need to make some
compromises but make sure to put the “must-haves” at the top of the list. Although
it may not be possible to learn everything there is to know about a
neighborhood before moving in, a thorough investigation will help you ensure
you’re making the right decision. I have been to many pleasant neighborhoods. But
just because it’s a nice neighborhood does not mean it’s the one for you. If an
area you choose makes the list but still feels wrong, trust your gut feel. You’d
be living there for most of your life, so make sure you like what you see every
day.
Sources:
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