Schools Can Determine Your Real Estate Market

so true, I remember buyers who found their dream home but wouldnt buy if not in the right school district

Hi Stephen,

Almost every person that has called me regarding relocating to my areas says "good schools" are their top priority" (if they have children).  Sometimes they say "top schools" or that if they cannot find that where they want to live, they want to know where the best "private" schools are.   I have also placed the greatschools.net website on my own website.

Schools are the driver in my area as well.  We have a nationally recognized school system as a whole but within that there are so many different scores and flavors!  I just help people find the info that is right for them so they can make decisions.  I saw someone put in her profile the other day how she knew so much about the schools and wondered just how much of the line she crossed.  It's one thing to know the info and be able to be a resource, it's another to tell people not to buy because of a school.

I definitely agree with you.  I grew up in your area and I remember any time we moved the school district was an important factor for my parents.  I have a client now moving from the North.  I found a house that has EVERYTHING she told me she was looking for.  She has decided against the house because of her research on the neighboring schools.

I had an out of town buyer that specified to me the specific elementary school she wanted to live in based on information from Greatschools.net.  She was fairly narrow minded based on those results of a school that in my opinon was ok.  But, she was missing out on some wonderful houses that were in great schools too.  And no, I couldn't give her my opinon.  So, I steered her to a local yahoo group of parents and from that she was able to gather more information on the local schools.  She also went to visit each school and speak with the principals of each.  I believe greatschools.net pulls information from test scores and you can also input parental opinon which will increase its rank.   The testing information is available as a link form our board website.  I'll forward that link on, sometimes those test scores aren't the best indication of a school that will offer your child the most success.

Brett, I have too, this is why it is important to point them to this information early

Leslie, I find it to be a big request here too.

Josette, I like the "flavors" analogy. I agree on the profile you read, we can point them to research, but we cannt be the research.

Kimberly, I have seen that happen too

Jennifer, I agree. It is good that they had time to visit the schools and talk to people there

Stephen,

Good post. I have had and will continue to have many buyers that will only buy a home within a specific school district and even buy only if the home is close enough for their kids to walk to school. The importance of a good school district to buyers is incredible. Thanks for bringing this to AR.

Mike Lewis

Mike, thanks, I think we all have clients who value this... some because they have kids, others, because they know it will be good for resale....