| As the old saying goes, the three most important | | | | the projections for growth or new developments in |
| facts for selecting the right neighborhood are | | | | the area? What kind of neighbors do you want to |
| location, location, location. So, what about location? It | | | | live near? What are the things that are most |
| is indeed a very important fact in the selection of | | | | important for you? Once you have defined the |
| your new home because a really nice, attractive, | | | | criteria for selecting a neighborhood take the next |
| affordable home in the wrong neighborhood can be | | | | step and look at the homes within the pre-selected |
| an expensive formula for disaster for you. The | | | | areas. How do they fit with the home you want? |
| selection process is a critical key step for success. | | | | To answer this question, you may first have to |
| Use your real estate agent and their resources. They | | | | determine what style home will you enjoy? Is land |
| can provide you a lot of very useful information as | | | | important? Do you want a large lot or a very small |
| you evaluate your needs and match those needs | | | | yard? Is a pool important? What about landscaping? |
| with the various sections of the city and the homes | | | | Do you want a single floor or multistory house? Are |
| available within these neighborhoods. | | | | you only interested in a home or would you consider |
| So, how do you evaluate your needs? Begin by | | | | a condo? Once you determine the answer to this |
| asking yourself some important questions about your | | | | question set, then you must decide if the houses in |
| current lifestyle and your future, desired living | | | | the selected neighborhood match your preference |
| conditions. A summary of the answers to these | | | | for a home. |
| questions will help you determine where you might | | | | As you can see, the selection of the right |
| want to live in this community and why. Remember, | | | | neighborhood involves a lot of careful thought and |
| this is the time to decide what your criteria will be for | | | | consideration of a wide variety of questions. Since |
| evaluating and shopping for the right Neighborhood | | | | good realtors are familiar with the different areas in |
| for you. Make a list, prioritize, and discuss this with | | | | the community, your real estate agent can be very |
| your real estate agent. | | | | helpful. They can supply you with information about |
| The following are some questions you may want to | | | | taxes, values, future developments, history of home |
| consider as you look at the neighborhood in general: | | | | sales, school systems, and many other important |
| Are schools important? Do you need to be near | | | | data sets and facts. As we have discussed, there are |
| shopping centers? How close do you need to be to | | | | many factors to consider when finding the right |
| your place of work? Is public transit necessary? How | | | | neighborhood. Careful consideration and planning will |
| much are the school and property taxes? What | | | | reap satisfaction and success in the selection of your |
| about resale value? What is the history of home | | | | future neighborhood. |
| values for this section of town? What are some of | | | | |