Location is the most important factor to consider when buying real estate property. Buying a home in a locality which has problems not only means that you will not be comfortable living there but also, that the resale value could go down with time. Here are some points to use when make a decision on the perfect location for a home.

 

Take interest

 

One of the best ways to learn more about a new neighborhood is attending a open houses in the area. While at the open house listen to what issues others are bringing up. You can also ask other home owners in the area about issues that they continually dealing with. This is what will give you a clear indication of what it is like to live in the area. If you attend more than three homeowners’ association meetings and all they seem to be discussing is the rising cases of armed robbery, it is an indication that the neighborhood has a severe security problem. Insecurity and real estate do not mix because the earlier leads to depreciation of land and home value.

 

Try and get a latte

 

This may seem like an odd thing to do when you are home hunting, but it makes sense. It helps you figure out how far out you have to go when you have to meet a friend for coffee or how far away the mall is from the location of your new neighborhood. By getting a latte, you will be figuring out if what the realtor said about the social amenities being a walking distance away is true or not.

 

Check out the levels of organization

 

If you snoop around an entire neighborhood and no one asks you any question, then you need to think about the security situation in the locality. Communities and areas which are close nit have neighborhood watches. You do not want to live in a place where anyone can commit crimes such as breaking without anyone looking out for your property. Communities which worry about their security have periodic meetings and even newsletters. If these elements are missing, you might have to reconsider your decision.

 

Return after dark

 

An area may seem okay during the day when the lights are out, and everyone is afraid of getting caught doing the wrong thing, however, when darkness sets in, you get a chance to figure out if the place is as secure as it seems during the day. Go back to the neighborhood after dark and see how it feels. It will also help you understand if the street lights are working or if the neighborhood watch only exists in paper.

 

Other factors that you need to investigate about include the performance of the school district and the actual crime numbers from the authorities. It is also important to view the new neighborhood from a long-term perspective. If you know that the home will not work for you in five- or six years’ time, do not buy it thinking that you will buy quickly and leave.

 

Buying a home is always a stressful investment. When make these decisions feel free to contact our mortgage team and let us see how we can help. Read about how we can help with credit repair assistance.