Zeroing in on the right neighborhood for you

What makes a house a home has just as much to do with what’s around it as what’s in it. So when it comes to buying a home, it’s important to find the neighborhood or suburb that matches your lifestyle needs.

Here are a few things to consider during your search:

Schools

Whether or not you have children, it’s always a good idea to think about school districts when purchasing a home. That’s because school districts can not only influence students’ education, but also property values in the area.

If you’re looking for a home in a particular school district, check out AtProperties.com. Our website allows you to narrow your search by school boundaries and also provides information like test results and more.

Convenience/Walkability

One can’t deny the convenience of being able to walk to the local coffee shop, diner or grocery store. On the other side the coin, some of us prefer the luxury of driving everywhere (which is all the more convenient when parking is easy to come by.)

No matter your preference, find out where your prospective neighborhood falls on the walkability scale. Walk Score^® will tell you if a community is Car-Dependent or a Walker’s Paradise. It also offers insight into how easy it is to commute and bike in the area.

Amenities

From shops and restaurants to parks and biking trails, consider the amenities that are a necessity to you, so you can be sure that your potential neighborhood checks out.

Apps such as Yelp, Google Maps, Foursquare and Around Me can help you discover and learn more about the amenities nearby.

Parking 

City dwellers know all too well the hassles of finding that ever-elusive parking spot on the street. If you have a car, some more research is in order.

@properties’ website has a built-in Parknav tool that shows you the likelihood of finding street parking near for-sale listings.

Market Conditions

You’re not just buying the home – you’re buying into the neighborhood. That said, it’s important to have an idea of hyper-local market trends and any other factors that could affect home values in the area.

A broker with local expertise can guide you and help you better understand which neighborhood or suburb is the best fit given your short and long-term goals.