Selecting the Right Area
One of the most important decisions regarding your home purchase is determining the location that will work best for your needs. Your REALTOR® can help you research the areas which will be most suitable to your specific criteria. Some factors to carefully consider in this decision are:
Price - Certain areas are more or less expensive than others so your decision may hinge on the price point for your purchase.
Commute Time / Convenience - It's important to find something with a reasonable travel time to the office, friends & family, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and other amenities within the community.
Economic Factors - Some areas have high foreclosures rates which have a negative impact on comparatives sales used to appraise your homes value. Before deciding on a specific area, carefully examine these factors and ask your REALTOR® to compile past area data to support your decision.
Education - If you already have children or plan to in the future, local school information should be at the top of the list when considering an area. Even if you don't use the school system, they can affect your sales potential when you go to resell, so it's a good idea to keep this in mind when selecting an area.
Condition of the Surrounding Area - Home values are subject to all the factors of a given area, and appearance plays a big role. It is very important to examine the homes, businesses, and overall condition surrounding the area. This is a good time to see yard maintenance of neighbors, the condition of the streets and local park areas, and also the number of empty offices. All of these factors reflect the health of the neighborhood.