Buying

Buyer-Friendly Neighborhood Traits

There tends to be a thin line between a buyer’s love or hate of new real estate property, and more often than not this distinction is due to the characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood. If you are new to the home buying experience, then you might have already encountered this feeling of “hot” then “cold” or “love” then “hate” about a property. Perhaps it was the close proximity to a busy street or a lack of a nearby school, no matter the reason, the following guide will help you to discover several top traits of a buyer-friendly neighborhood.

Just as all homes are not created equally, all neighborhoods have their pros and cons. Below is a buyer’s guide to discovering the perfect neighborhood, where hopefully your dream home awaits.

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Walk Score

A walk score is the rating that a neighborhood or residential building can receive. The walk scores of the surrounding residential condominium or apartment buildings can help you to better determine the quality of the neighborhood. Some of the factors include: pedestrian design, type of streets, parks and public spaces, income levels, and a defined neighborhood center.

Access to Public Transportation

Access to public transportation is a neighborhood feature that is often overlooked. Whether it is a public bike path, bus, trolley, tram, train, or metro, having easy access to a wide-variety of transportation methods is a gem in urban, rural, and suburban neighborhoods. With this in mind, you will want to determine if you want to live in a neighborhood that is located directly on a public transportation line, or in an area that is within walking distance of the nearest bus or train stop.

School Districts

It is common knowledge that great school districts can help to improve the value of a home. If you currently have children or are thinking about having kids in the future, you will want to make sure that your chosen neighborhood is associated with a good public school district. Conversely, if you are thinking of sending your kids to private or charter schools, you should check to see if the school offers transportation within your neighborhood.

Close Proximity to Parks

Another feature of a great neighborhood is its close proximity to local parks. Throughout the year, a park offers residents a chance for residents of all ages to join together and enjoy outdoor amenities. Parks are especially important in urban and populated areas, where a home tends to have a smaller yard space. If have a four-legged family member, you will also want to be on the lookout for neighborhoods with dog friendly parks.

Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Gyms, Etc.

No matter where you want to live, the ideal neighborhood will offer a variety of restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, salons, and other common local businesses. Being within driving or walking distance to these types of stores is not only convenient, but it makes the late night ice cream runs feasible. These type of neighborhood establishments can also help to improve the value of the surrounding homes.

Lawn Space

Whether it is a large lawn or a small lawn, having an open space affiliated with your home, as well as the surrounding lots, is a definite plus.

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Growth Potential

When you are searching for the perfect neighborhood you will want to keep the potential for growth in mind. This means that you will want to be on the look out for any vacant lots, buildings in disrepair, as well as the opportunity for other homes to expand. Any of the following factors can cause the perfect neighborhood to easily turn into a construction zone. At the same time, you will want to find out about the various zoning and construction regulations; knowing the latter information can help you to better plan for any future renovations to your home.

Now that you’re ready to find your perfect neighborhood, find your new home on Homes.com.

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