If you’re looking to move into a new place, you may already have a list of features that fit your new home needs, but what about the location? Erin Vaughan from Modernize.com shares advice for homebuyers searching for a new neighborhood to call home.
Purchasing a home isn’t just about the asking price, or even the home’s condition. It’s the whole package—the schools your kids attend, the streets you drive back and forth on, the neighbors you get to know—that makes up a life.
It can be difficult to understand a neighborhood’s flavor until you know where to look. You’ve probably already surveyed the local elementary school and checked out the crime stats in your potential neighborhood, but now it’s time to dig deeper and seek out some other important elements that can give you a more accurate portrait of an area’s values and economic fortunes. So after you’ve had the home inspected and looked up the property values, check for these seven factors:
Sidewalks—That Are Actually Being Used
You may be mostly vehicle-bound when it comes to getting around, but sidewalks are still nice to have, particularly if you have (or plan on one day having) school-aged children. Well-maintained sidewalks mean more pedestrians, and that’s very telling about the kinds of neighbors you’ll have—namely, that there is an active and vibrant community surrounding the home.
Plenty of Street Lights
Along the same lines, unless you’re into the rural lifestyle, it’s a good idea to look for a home with streetlights. Study after study has confirmed that well-lit streets help deter crimes, and keep pedestrians safer, as well. If there’s a home you have your eye on, take a drive around it at night so you can get a sense of the area’s lighting situation.
On-Going Improvements
Homeowners who do regular maintenance and make improvements to their space care about their homes and communities. Drive around your potential neighborhood on a nice day, keeping an eye out for homeowners who are mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, gardening, and making other upgrades.
A Starbucks Nearby
Whether or not you care much for lattes, the presence of a Starbucks or upscale coffeeshop is a good indicator that a neighborhood is prosperous, and is on its way up. In fact, some experts even think the coffee chain can bolster property values when it moves in nearby, so make sure to stop for a cappuccino when you’re home shopping.
An Active Community
Whether or not a community is “active” depends on your definition, of course, but generally if there are parks or recreation centers, with classes, fairs, or group meetings on offer, you’ve found a neighborhood that’s friendly and welcoming. Scan the local library, parks, and recreation centers for fliers announcing upcoming events—and maybe even attend one to see what they’re like!
Well-Tended Parks and Trails
A nearby park is one thing. A park where the grass is regularly mowed, brush is cut back, and paths are maintained is another. Some real estate professionals feel that the quality of your area’s parks is the most accurate barometer of community engagement—citizens who are active and engaged in their neighborhoods will volunteer their time, money, and tax dollars to its upkeep.
Few Homes for Sale
Unless a community is brand-new, there shouldn’t be a ton of “For Sale” signs dotting the lawns of your future neighborhood. If lots of people are selling, it could be a hint of future trouble and indicate that people aren’t very happy in that space.
These tips won’t guarantee that you’ll love your new neighborhood, but they will give you a sense of the community you’ll be moving into—which, with any luck, will welcome you in with open arms.
About the writer
Erin Vaughan is a blogger, gardener and aspiring homeowner. She currently resides in Austin, TX where she writes full time for Modernize.com, with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence.
