Buying a house and moving your family is a huge undertaking that impacts your finances, your future, and virtually every aspect of your life. With so much on the line, it's worth the extra effort to do research and dig in thoroughly with a routine neighborhood check.
The last thing you want is to spend the time searching for a home and the money to purchase it, only to discover that you’ve moved to a neighborhood that’s unsafe, inconvenient, or about to be sitting next to a big box store.
Invest some time scouting the area before you sign the mortgage, and you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you’re putting your family in a place that has low crime, good schools, plenty of amenities like parks and playgrounds, and public services—not to mention good neighbors.
We’ve put together a simple guide to help you gather the right information to make an smart decision on where to buy.
The only thing worse than moving in next to bad neighbors is moving into a sketchy neighborhood. It’s pretty easy to check local crime statistics. These websites are a good place to start:
Most will ask you to simply type in the address you’re interested in and let you see the crimes committed in the area, broken down by date and type of crime, such as violent crime, property crime, even organized crime.
In addition to the above resources, modern home buying apps like Zillow, apartments.com, provide useful neighborhood safety stats.
No set of numbers can give you a complete picture of how truly safe a neighborhood is. Another important way to do a safety check is to simply take a walk around the neighborhood—at different times of the day and night. You can learn quite a bit:
While you’re evaluating the neighborhood safety, stop and talk to some of your potential neighbors. It’s not a bad way to introduce yourself, and your interest can signal to them that you’d be a good addition to the neighborhood.
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Most towns—and many neighborhoods—have their own dedicated website. Nextdoor is a useful app for neighborhoods where you can get local tips, get “insider” information from people who live there and more. You can glean some useful insights about things like local parks and recreation, community events, and local government. You may not get the whole picture, but it can provide a few pieces of the puzzle.
If you have kids—or you’re planning to—a big part of your neighborhood research is educating yourself about the quality and proximity of local schools and day care centers. It’s important to start the process right away. You don’t want to fall in love with a house only to find out it’s in a poorly rated district. GreatSchools.org can help you find reviews, school curriculum and athletic program ratings. Don’t be shy about visiting local schools and asking questions. And don’t forget: Great schools are good for property values.
Unless you work remotely, when you move to a new neighborhood you’re looking at a whole new drive to and from work. You could be shaving some time off your commute or adding to it—and you can’t always tell just by looking at a map. Take the time to make some test drives to and from your workplace—especially during peak rush hour. And while you’re out and about, see how easy it is to get to the grocery store and other retail destinations, parks and playgrounds, and schools; all the places you’ll be driving, biking or walking to.
Before you buy any home, make sure you know whether there’s a neighborhood homeowners association. An HOA means you’ll be paying monthly or annual fees on top of your mortgage and other expenses. Some HOAs have community swimming pools or tennis courts, while others are just for general upkeep and landscaping and maintaining private roads. Understand exactly what’s covered by the HOA before you move in.
Beyond neighborhood safety, schools and other important items, there are a few other things to research before you make a move.
Taking the time to do your neighborhood research helps you make informed decision before investing in a home. Scouting ahead will help you choose a neighborhood that aligns with your lifestyle and priorities—and can make the difference between finding your dream house and living a nightmare.
Just like doing a neighborhood safety check, choosing the right home warranty can help take worry out of owning a home, too. A warranty plan from American Home Shield offers coverage for parts of up to 23 home systems and appliances can help make for a more care-free, enjoyable homeowning experience.
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AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
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