Check out the neighborhood when buying a home.
May 14, 2007 | Real Estate | 
1 comment
Finding a home in the right neighborhood is equally as important as getting it at a value. Many neighborhoods may look suitable from a glance but there could be underlying crime that would affect your decision. Just because a neighborhood is well kept does not mean it is safe.
First I would check with the local police department. They can tell you what types of crime are normal for the area you are considering. This will give you an idea of the general characteristics of the people in the area.
Another good idea is to make several visits to the neighborhood but at different times of the day/night. This can shed light on other areas of concern like traffic safety.
Here are some other helpful suggestions:
- Talk to local business owners
- Check with the local city council and planning department
- Check owner occupancy percentages - higher percentages of rentals usually means more variance in property conditions.
- Check local malls, theaters etc…local hangouts for kids.
The more time you spend researching a neighborhood the less likely you will be to end up in one you dislike.
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I wouldn’t have thought of calling the police department but it can be a quick and useful check-up to do.
I would also suggest a few other things : go live in the neighborhood on a Saturday - walk your dog, play with the kids in the park, bring your bikes for a ride, park your car. Do whatever you would do if you were to live there. If you don’t even feel like spending your Saturday there, that already tells you a lot about your gut feeling.