How To Choose A Neighborhood - Originally posted at Cleveland Real Estate Blog
In a recent article titled, what’s more important the home or the neighborhood, there was critical discussion on how both were extremely important in their own ways. Today, we are focusing on how to choose the right neighborhood.
STEP ONE - DEFINE YOUR IDEAL NEIGHBORHOOD
There are a lot of things to think about when picking out a neighborhood. Here is a good exercise that should help out:
Think about all the things that are important to you and write them down. Include a section titled "must haves". These are things that a neighborhood absolutely must have in order for you to buy there. You may also want to have a section titled "would like it to have", although these things wouldn't be nearly as important.
One thing to remember is that sometimes the perfect neighborhood simply doesn't exist in your price range, so being a little flexible is important.
STEP TWO - CHECK THINGS OUT ---IN PERSON!
While the Internet is certainly an easy way to get a feel for a particular neighborhood, nothing can replace actually seeing it in person with a knowledgeable local real estate agent. Here are a few tips:
1. Talk to people who live there. Neighbors are usually pretty open and will tell you all about their neighborhood.
2. Is there pride of ownership? If the homes have good curb appeal and seem well maintained, it is usually a good sign that people there take care of their homes.
3. Who lives there? Are there kids, dogs, other people your age? Driving around during the early evenings or weekends, when people are out and about will give you a good feel about your future neighbors.
STEP THREE - OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. Location - This is viewed by many as being one of the most important things about an area. How far is it from your work? From schools and shopping?
2. Costs - In addition to the price of homes in a given neighborhood, some developments, especially in the luxury market, require membership to a club or possibly associations. Find out if there are any additional costs on homes you are considering.
3. Adverse Factors - Are there any negative features of a neighborhood? Is the area located next to a highway, railroad tracks, or power lines? While these may or may not matter to you, these factors could affect value and resale, so you should at least know about them.
While the actual house you buy is important, you are also buying the neighborhood and the lifestyle that comes with it. Don’t discount the importance of a neighborhood when it comes to buying a home as it is often viewed as just important as the home itself.
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About The Authors:
Dan and Amy Schuman service the Cleveland, Oh metropolitan area and specialize in Cleveland luxury homes and working with buyers relocating to Cleveland.
For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.
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How To Choose A Neighborhood is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©June, 2011
