Raleigh Area Real Estate Buyers

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

The neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle. Safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of the activities (movies, health club, church) you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to assist you in your decision making process.

2. Check out the school district. The education officials in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you're considering. If you don't have children, a house in a good school district is often times easier to sell in the future.

3. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type (burglaries, armed robberies) and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime.

4. Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your area economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don't necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

5. See each neighborhood for yourself. Once you've narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, get a sense of what it would be like to live in one of those houses.  Make an effort to introduce yourself and get some other opinions of home owners in the area.