|
HOUSE HUNTING TIP: You want to know
what local residents like and don't like about the neighborhood. Find out
how long each person you talk to has lived there. Ask if there any
proposed changes in local facilities like a new freeway or school that
might impact the quality of life in the neighborhood in either a positive
or negative way? Are there any problems like landslides, school or crime
issues that you should be aware of?
Check with the Chamber of
Commerce to find out if they have any information about the neighborhood.
If you're concerned about crime rates, visit the local precinct. The
Internet is another source of information. A Web site like
www.realtor.com
or www.neighborhoodscout.com may have some useful, although general,
information. If you're buying long distance, your can gather helpful
information about a place by subscribing to a local newspaper.
Ask
your real estate agent about how often homes change hands in a particular
neighborhood. Turn-over tends to be low in the most sought after areas.
Also, if listings sell quickly when they do come on the market, this
indicates high demand for the area.
Evidence of remodeling in a
neighborhood is usually a good sign. Homeowners who are satisfied with the
neighborhood tend to remodel and stay put rather than move out.
Find out about the local schools, even if you don't intend to use
them. There tends to be a direct correlation between property values and
the caliber of public schools in an area—the better the schools, the
higher the property values.
It's a good idea to mingle in places
where you'll grocery shop, grab a bite to eat and run errands. Are the
services you need conveniently available? How do you feel about visiting
these places on a regular basis?
Will you be able to satisfy your
life style needs easily? For example, if you like to hike, find out if
there are good hiking trails nearby. Having time to relax at home is
important, so check out your commute to work. If there's public
transportation, try it out. If you're driving, take a test drive during
rush hour.
THE CLOSING: Be sure to drive to and from a home you're
considering at different times of day and from different directions. Your
agent may have only shown you the most scenic route.
|
