As I was chatting with buyers at my open house today I was reminded how useful it is to get out and drive through neighborhoods and stop at open houses. Especially in the early stages of the home buying process, it can be invaluable to get away from the computer and onto the streets.
It is amazing how much you can tell about a neighborhood just by cruising through it… and it is even more helpful if you can also get in to see a few properties in a neighborhood. You can get a sense of the makeup of the community, as well as how much house your money will buy in a particular neighborhood.
As you drive around think about things like…
- Are the homes well maintained? Neat houses and yards are signs that the people who live there are invested in their property and neighborhood.
- Who is around? You can tell a lot about the makeup of the neighborhood by who is out and about… kids on bikes? hot rods with radios blasting? people out walking their dogs?
- How is traffic? Is there a lot of through traffic? any concerns about safety?
- What kinds of businesses and services are nearby? Are there coffee shops, dry cleaners, drug stores nearby? Where will you buy groceries? Are they the kind of places you would like to frequent?
- Are there lots of 'FOR SALE' signs? If there are a lot of homes for sale in the area, try to find out why. Is it just a coincidence or is there something going on or some future plans for the neighborhood that are making people think about leaving?
If you find a neighborhood you especially like, get out and walk. There is nothing like experiencing the neighborhood at street level to get a true sense of the community. Try to envision yourself living there… listen for sounds and smells… are you seeing people you would like to have as neighbors?
Strike up a conversation with some of the people out and about, maybe stop at a local coffee shop… ask questions like…
- What do they like about living here? What don't they like?
- Are there any changes planned for the neighborhood or surrounding area?
- If you have kids, ask about kids in the neighborhood and what kinds of facilities and activites are available for them… what about the schools?
- What about trails, parks, other recreation?
- How is the neighborhood different at different times of the day? rush hour? before/after school? evenings/nights? weekends?
Of course what really matters is what is important to you… don't be afraid to ask. People who love living in their neighborhood usually love telling people about why it is such a great place to live!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email – Twin Cities Realtor
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One of the biggest concerns that a home buyer has is location, location, location. This is why it is important to not just check out the house itself, but to also have a look around the neighborhood. After all, this is where you’ll be living for a long time. Anything bad about the neighborhood, like lack of security, should be taken into consideration before making an offer.