6 things to investigate about the area where your soon-to-be home is located.
By Megan Suckut
CTW Features
Location makes all the difference in home buying. School districts, water quality and neighborhood walkability are all qualities that stem from location. Moreover, access to convenient shopping, entertainment and healthcare can matter more than you’d think.
Here are a few of the most common quality-of-life measures homebuyers seek out and how to investigate them.
1. Make well-being a priority
Air and water purity, pollution and noise all factor into one’s sense of physical and mental well-being. Not investigating a potential home for these properties can result in dissatisfaction and lower quality of life while living at a home you’d intended to inhabit for many years to come.
2. Access to fresh food
Another key factor to consider: the distance to the nearest grocery store. A significant portion of Americans don’t live within walking of a supermarket in so-called food deserts.
3. Check out the crime blotter
It’s also important to take a look at the safety and security of the area. Will you feel comfortable allowing your children to play in the yard? Is there a high risk for vandalism? How would you feel walking to your car at night? It’s often possible to find a great deal on a home in an up-and-coming area.
“But if you’re not comfortable in your home during the time that the community takes to ‘come up,’ then it’s not worth the savings,” San Diego real estate agent Jason Cassity said.
4. Find some green space
Whether your dream home is in a crowded city or tiny town, sometimes you just need to get out of the house and sit on a patch of grass.
Finding the nearest park or public playground is an especially important consideration for families with young children.
5. Check into healthcare
Be sure to check out nearby health care providers when doing your research. Not only do you want a hospital close in case of an emergency, having a general practitioner, dentist and other medical facilities in the neighborhood can be very convenient.
6. Ask for advice
Consulting with an experienced real estate agent can give you insights you may never find on your own, from community awareness to a vision for the future of your potential neighborhood.
“A good real estate agent can really add value,” Cassity said.
A good mix of investigation online, in person and via a knowledgeable real estate agent will ensure that you feel confident about your decision when you make an offer on a property.
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