Choosing the Right Neighborhood to Purchase you Home

Neighborhoods have personalities, and finding one that is right for you can be as difficult as finding the perfect home.

People want to feel comfortable in their neighborhoods as well as in their homes. They like to know they'll be welcome and safe from the day they move in -- and for years to come.

So buyers ask: Are the schools good? How long is the commute? Are the streets safe at night?

By law, real estate agents can't answer some questions, about ethnic mix, for example. This helps prevent unethical agents from steering buyers into certain neighborhoods.

But agents who concentrate on specific neighborhoods can provide good information about local taxes and town governments. And, when shopping for a neighborhood, buyers should do some detective work of their own.

Here's what to investigate:

Appearance
Drive around. Or, better yet, take a walking tour of the neighborhood. Go without the agent. Sometimes an agent will take routes that show off the best streets. Note the general upkeep. Well-kept, tidy parcels, even in modestly priced neighborhoods, indicate a pride of ownership that upholds property values. Watch for vacant lots. They could be zoned for commercial use, or act as neighborhood dumps.

Crime
Find out how many and what kind of crimes occur. Start at the local police department, which may provide statistics. Check alleys and public buildings for graffiti. Unwelcome artwork could mean gang activity.

Schools
Families with young children often pick a school district before they choose a house. Local schools report how much is spent per child. Ask for test scores, too.

Transportation and Amenities
Time the commute. It's better to know how long, rather than how far, it is to work. How close are trains and buses? What about parks and recreational facilities? Nearby stores can be lifesavers when you run out of milk at dinnertime.

Property Values
Research recent selling prices for houses in the neighborhood and how much houses have increased in value in the past 10 years. Ask how much property taxes have increased.

Utilities
Find out what utility costs are. Call the water, gas, cable and electric companies for rates. Utilities can add a lot to the monthly cost of a house.

Traffic and Noise
Drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day and note the amount of activity. Do you hear loud parties at 1 a.m.? Do cars clog the roads during commuting hours? It's better to know ahead of time whether the neighborhood is a noisy one.

Future Development
Look for new construction in the neighborhood. Rapid growth can be a sign of higher property values -- but also traffic hassles. Read the local newspaper for information about new housing developments, and find out what facilities (schools, roads, etc.) will be built if the area is expanding.