Moving? Here's How to Find Your Dream Neighborhood

Many of us have an idea of what we’re looking for in a neighborhood. The items on your nonnegotiable list of traits along with the location are important to prioritize. Since moving is an expensive venture, many buyers feel paralyzed by neighborhood options and worry they’ll settle in the wrong place. If you’re local to an area, this makes the daunting task a bit easier. Relocating from an area far away and beginning your home search without much knowledge can make the process feel like a shot in the dark.

We work with buyers to match them with their perfect home in a dream neighborhood every day. There are a few things that can help you to make a match with your ideal neighborhood. Take a look and see if these could help you.

• Do you have an expert agent? Our agents know the area and know what you’re looking for in a neighborhood. They intimately know the ins and outs of the local market and what makes the local neighborhoods tick. Many times they can take a seemingly unrealistic wish list and match clients with a neighborhood and home that exceeded their expectations. Working closely with an agent is the key to finding a home in an area you and your family will love. Our team of expert agents can help you land a great home in a neighborhood you'll love! Give us a call to learn more.

• What’s your budget? Although we all wish it weren’t so, our budgets determine, in large part, where we end up living. But there are creative ways to prioritize your budget and land in a fantasy location. It could mean buying a home with an income property on site, finding a fixer upper, or buying in a little-known neighborhood adjacent to your dream address. If your agent is aware of your dreams, they can help make them a reality.

• How much does size matter?  For tried and true city people, smaller spaces are doable. While others prioritize the perks of suburban or rural living because they can have large homes and yards. It’s simply a matter of determining what you’re comfortable with. A large home may feel like something you’d enjoy, but a short commute could be even more important. You could have a large family and determine that a longer commute is worth it for extra space and a large yard. It’s simply a matter of weighing your priorities.

• Are schools important to you? If you have a family, schools could be the main driving factor in finding a neighborhood. If so, learn the local school options. What are the parameters for each school district? Read up on the area’s rankings and make a list of the local schools you most like. Once again, let your agent know. They could find a creative solution to help you settle in a neighborhood with the schools of your dreams.

• What do you want your lifestyle to look like? Do you thrive on a bustling city lifestyle with coffee shops within walking distance? Or do you prefer the perks of small town life? Do you want a more laid-back and quiet lifestyle for your family’s needs? Don’t forget to factor in your lifestyle when looking for a home. If a home and its neighborhood look great on paper but don’t meet with your ideal lifestyle, it’s not a perfect home. Imagine your life in a neighborhood, and determine if it’s what you want.

• Do you know anyone in the neighborhood? Ask a friend about what their neighborhood is really like? Do the neighbors keep to themselves or do they have a tight-knit community? Do they find the traffic easy to deal with or wish they lived in a different zip code? Do they feel safe in their neighborhood? Ask a trusted friend for information about an area if you can. It’s one of the most practical ways to get the inside scoop.

Don’t be daunted by the process of finding your next neighborhood. If you know what you want and can prioritize what’s truly important, you can end up in a neighborhood that exceeds what you wished for. Work closely with a local expert and you’re sure to move to a location where you’ll be happy and proud to build a life.

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