Evaluating Neighborhoods: 4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Home
From finding the right agent to discovering the home you can truly feel comfortable in, there are a variety of things involved in the home buying process. However, it’s important not to get caught up in the home and ignore altogether the community you’ll be living in. If you’re planning a move to a new neighborhood, here are some things you should look into before putting in an offer. Your best resource for evaluating neighborhoods is your real estate agent.
Local Amenities
A peaceful, picturesque community is ideal, but if there are not a lot of resources nearby for your family, it’s possible that your new neighborhood may not be the best fit. Instead of having to get in the car and drive everywhere, ensure you research nearby community centers, green spaces and recreational spots so your family has somewhere to spend their leisure time and weekends.
Research The Crime Rate
You can certainly get a good sense of the well being of a community just by looking at it, but be sure that you’re informed about exactly how safe the surrounding area is so your family will feel at ease in their new locale. I suggest visiting the neighborhood at different times of the day and on weekends to get a “feel” for the environment. While you can easily research the community and find information online, you might want to visit websites like Neighborhood Scout. You can also register to receive Memphis crime information by registering for the Memphis Police Department’s Cyberwatch program.
Transportation And Accessibility
A community you love is ideal, but if you work in the downtown core or an area far away, it will be important to determine the effect this will have on the length of your commute. In addition, you’ll want to be sure there are local transportation options like buses and shuttles that provide access all over the center in the event that it’s needed. Since the Memphis area mass transit is fairly weak, check car or bike commute times during the times you will be traveling to and from work, as well as researching mass transit (bus) schedules and routes.
Learn About The Locals
There’s something to be said for the perfect home, but you’ll also need to feel a certain sense of comfort in the place you live so ensure you choose a place with nice neighbors and a community feel. This may seem hard to determine before buying a house, but try visiting the local community center, a popular neighborhood restaurant or night spot, or talking to residents who might be out in their yards or walking.
It can be easy to throw everything else out the window as soon as you’ve found the perfect home, but it’s important that your home is situated in a neighborhood you’ll feel comfortable in. If you’re currently considering a few different neighborhoods for your home purchase, contact me. I have extensive experience in Midtown, Downtown and East Memphis. If you are considering other neighborhoods, I can connect you with the Realtor who is the noted “neighborhood expert.”
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My friend and his wife are moving and have been trying to find the right home. You mentioned that “there’s something to be said for the perfect home, but you’ll also need to feel a certain sense of comfort in the place you live so ensure you choose a place with nice neighbors and a community feel.” Would contacting a real estate agent in the community you are looking at be beneficial?
I would suggest an agent who specializes in the communities you are interested in. There are niche agents who only handle one or 2 zipcodes, or specialize in certain neighborhoods exclusively. Find an agent who does a lot of business in the neighborhoods you are interested in.