How to Check Out the Neighborhood Before You Buy

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The most gorgeous dream home in the world is only as good as the neighborhood and neighbors surrounding it. It is easy to fall in love with a property from the professional photographs on real estate websites and by driving by for an open house. Unfortunately, the greatest home may turn into a nightmare if the neighborhood is not what you expect after the move.

To be sure the community suits your lifestyle and interests, it is important to check out the surrounding area and the other people who live there before you buy. Location is as important as the house itself unless you plan to stay inside all the time.

Research Statistics or Contact the Authorities
Finding school system information, demographic data and crime statistics for different areas is relatively easy on the internet. These things are the minimum basic pieces of information you should have before deciding to buy a home in a particular neighborhood.

While it may be comforting to know that violent crime and theft is minimal around your future home, it does not give you the full picture of what it is really like to live there.

Get Involved With Online Communities

Different neighborhoods, towns and regions frequently have social networking communities online. These can be found on social media like Facebook or through message boards like City-Data.com. Talking with people who actually live in the neighborhoods you think about moving to gives a lot more information than some statistics.

Ask what they like and dislike about the area. Find out how the kids like the schools and local activities. Don't be shy about expressing your concerns or asking anything that would affect your move.

Visit the Neighborhood at Different Time and on Different Days

If possible, take multiple drives to check out the area around the house you might buy. Don't visit only during the weekday when most people are at work and the kids at school. Weekend drive-bys will give you even more information because these are the days people are home and more active. It is better to find out before the move that the guy on the corner mows his law every other day at 7AM, or a group of teens turn their open garage into a rock stage three nights per week.

Introduce Yourself to Neighbors

While it is impossible to interview everyone on the street to see if they will be a good friend or a bother, introducing yourself to a few people near the house for sale may help you get a better idea about the friendliness of the neighborhood and their opinions about living there. Stopping to say "Hi!" to anyone outside when you drive around the block is not only a great way to get information but also to gauge how welcoming the community really is.

Featured Lot for Sale in Bryan, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley!