Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

Feb. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Before you purchase your next home, ask yourself a few questions and do a little research.  A little upfront preparation will payoff when you find that perfect neighborhood in which to live.

■Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engage in your most common activities.

■Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value. The Department of Education 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, visit schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Also, check out www.schoolmatters.com.

■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 — such as burglaries or armed robberies — and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

■Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city 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 do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

■See if you’ll make money. Ask a local real estate agent to get information about price appreciation in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good of an investment your home will be. A government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood — like a new school or highway — that might affect value.

■Make personal observations. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? How does it feel? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside.

We welcome the opportunity to assist with your move.  Whether you are relocating from across town or across the country, we can provide the local knowledge and superior service needed to make your home buying move as smooth as possible.  Serving your real estate needs for the Atlanta GA area including Mountain Park, Berkely Lake, Johns Creek, Milton, Buck Head and more! We specialize in residential sales and leasing.    For more information contact Fred Yancy, Broker, Crye-Leike Realtors (678) 799-4663 or email fred.yancy@crye-leike.com or visit our website at http://fredyancy.crye-leike.com

Happy home hunting!

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Serving real estate needs for the Atlanta GA area including Mountain Park, Berkely Lake, Johns Creek, Milton, Buck Head and more! We specialize in residential sales and leasing.

We welcome the opportunity to assist with your move. Our proven home selling program can assist in the marketing of your home, finding the right buyer, and closing the sale with the lowest level of stress. Our years of experience combined with up to date technology, allows us to attract buyers within or outside the Atlanta Georgia area. Whether you are relocating from across town or across the country, we can provide the local knowledge and superior service needed to make your home buying move as smooth as possible.

Our real estate family takes great pride in receiving many referrals from thousands of satisfied buyers and sellers who have become good friends in the process.

Need expert advice? You can contact Fred Yancy, (678) 799-4663 for one-on-one expert help and advice anytime. That's our job.