Buying A Home - How To Know If a Neighborhood Is Right For You

By Sarah P. Shimanski

Buying a home can be a significant event in your life. One important feature that can't be ignored is the location of the home you want to buy. If you're a renter, this may have been something you've taken for granted due to the fact you could easily move at the end of your lease. But choosing a good location for your new home could mean the difference between living happily or living miserably.

Buying a home commits you to that location for at least a few years. It's a place where you connect with your
neighbors and community. When buying a home, you want to buy one with a great location. This will increase your chances of a higher resale value.

Each person has distinct needs and preferences when it comes to the features desired in a neighborhood. You need to choose the neighborhood that matches your particular needs. Here are five features you need to match to your individual preferences:

1) Is The Neighborhood Safe? - Who doesn't want to live with low crime? While everyone wants this positive
feature, it's not without a trade off. The outskirts of a major city tend to have less crime, but it also means
you'll have less shopping choices and fewer opportunities. You'll also spend more travel time just to access these
opportunities.

2) Local Amenities - Time is a valuable commodity in todays busy world. Juggling work, going to the market,
children's activities and school, daycare, dentist, entertainment, and time waiting for public transportation
consume most of your day. If you decide to live in a community farther away, you'll be dedicating more time to
traveling. It's important to put a great deal of thought into how much extra time you're willing to sacrifice towards traveling.

3) Appeal of the Community - Some of you will prefer uniform master planned communities while others prefer the historic charm where a variety of home styles are displayed. Neighborhood characteristics such as the landscape, trees, and surrounding restaurants should match your tastes.

4) Schools - The quality of the public schools will be an important feature if you have children. Even if you don't
plan on having children, your home will have a higher resale value when you do sell. If your kids will be attending private schools, this feature may not be as important.

5) Are There Zoning Restrictions? - If you plan to remodel a home to suit your particular needs, be sure to
check if the city has any zoning restrictions that might interfere with your plans. Some zoning regulations limit the changes you can make to a home. This ensures a uniform look throughout the neighborhood. - 31862

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