How To Evaluate A Home’s Location
Jan 27, 2023
How To Evaluate A Home's Location
Buying a house is a long-term decision and a long-term investment, so finding a house you love in an area you love should be your goal. Not only should you look for a home that's right for your budget, but also a home that's in a location that fits your lifestyle.
If you aren't sure what exactly to look for when considering a home's location, here are some things to pay attention to.
CHECK OUT THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLS
Whether you already have kids or plan to have kids in the future, learn about the local schools. What makes a school good or not is up to you, but common factors to consider include data from the Indiana Department of Education, sports programs, extracurricular activities, programming like AP classes or specialized focus on areas like STEM, and how active the Parent Teacher Organizations are.
FIND OUT HOW CLOSE STORES AND DOCTORS ARE
Being able to run errands quickly can make your life easier. Think of the basic places you always have to go to no matter what, like the grocery store, doctor, and pharmacy. These places being nearby will be key if convenience is very important to you.
FIND OUT HOW CLOSE RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT IS
Don't underestimate the value of having fun things to do near your home. Search the area for shopping, entertainment, coffee shops, parks, farmers markets, gyms, music venues, golf courses, trampoline parks, restaurants - whatever is important to you. Recreation and entertainment are part of a full life, so take your lifestyle into consideration when evaluating a home's location.
LEARN ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOA
Being happy, comfortable, and safe in your new neighborhood is important for your quality of life. Each neighborhood has its own characteristics that make it unique and your real estate agent can help you get to know the neighborhood. Look into if there's a homeowners association (HOA) to get a sense of what's expected out of residents. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations to decide if the location is the right fit for you.
If you have children, check out if the neighborhood has amenities you'd enjoy like a pool, parks, and clubhouse for events. This may not make or break your decision, but it's a good idea to consider these factors.
NEARBY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
When searching for a new home, figure out how long your commute to work will be. This can take some personal reflection about how long you mind driving each day. How far away your work is from your potential new home will impact your daily life. If you use public transportation, take note of its proximity to the home, too.
If you plan to shift careers or would be searching for a new job in the area, find out what the job market looks like.
COST OF LIVING
When searching for a home, price is always top of mind, but make sure living in the area will also be affordable. Before you fall in love with a location, learn about the cost of living for the area. In other words, what will it take to keep up with grocery shopping, medical expenses, and local taxes? Not only do you want to be able to afford to live and work in the area, but also to have fun!
TALK TO A REAL ESTATE AGENT
If you're in the market to buy a home in an up-and-coming neighborhood, an Orizon Real Estate agent can help.
Your agent will be able to fill you in on the pros and cons of the location you're interested in. When you're ready to start searching for your dream home, call us at 260-248-8961 to get connected with an Orizon real estate agent.