About Greene County, MO

Welcome To Springfield Missouri - A Tour Down Memory Lane - Visiting Springfield Mo Real Estate

My daughter and her family were here for Thanksgiving this week, so today we took a tour through Springfield to show her the many changes that have taken place since she moved away over 10 years ago.

We started at Springfield Lake capturing the beauty of the calm lake and the new subdivisions that surround it now. Lexington Square was one of the many new subdivisions that have developed in the past few years.

We traveled up National Avenue, where we stopped to view Missouri State University and the new stadium. My grandson is turning 16 soon and is beginning to look for a college he will be attending. Near the university, we passed the John Q Hammons arena. Home of the Bears and Lady Bears Basketball, it is also used for concerts and special events.

John Q Hammons has blessed the city of Springfield with so many great buildings, along with the Hammons Field and Jordon Valley Park.

Springfield is one of the greatest cities in the Midwest to raise a family or retire. Someday my daughter and her family would like to move back. For now, they settled for a tour of Springfield and all the new real estate improvements.

If you are planning a move, check our Springfield real estate. We will be happy to help you with all your real estate needs.

This is the third installment in a series to guide you through buying a home in the Springfield, MO, area. If you missed the first two installments, I'm including the links here:

Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part 1 - Getting PreApproved for a Loan

Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part II - Selecting a Realtor

Now, you're preapproved for a loan, and you've selected your Realtor...what's next? Choosing Your Area/Community. If you're new to the Springfield, MO, area, you're probably unfamiliar with the various communities and areas.

I always recommend spending at least one day with your Realtor driving through the different areas. Get a feel for the different communities in your chosen area. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

1. What is the housing market like? What is the average price range for homes in that community? How does that compare with your own price range? Are the home values increasing or decreasing?
2. What are the schools like? It is very difficult for your Realtor to help you make a selection regarding school preferences. It is so subjective, and what is important to you may not be as important to someone else. Don't have school-aged children? You need to consider the schools anyway. Remember, you may need to sell this home someday, and school district will definitely be an important factor for another buyer.
3. Will this area offer easy access to my work? Check the traffic patterns. Is this community going to offer you quick and easy access to your work? Will you be going with or against the traffic?
   
4. What are the crime rates? Do yourself a favor and research the crime rate in the various communities. Call the local police station, or Google crime rates in the particular area. You can also check demographics and crime rates for individual homes on my website.
   
5. What are the taxes? What is the tax base in the area you're looking in? How does it compare with other communities you're looking in? Your Realtor should be able to tell you the current tax rate of the different communities.
6. Does it offer you the amenities that are important to you? Does the community offer you the recreational, retail, or other amenities that are important to you? Do you eat out a lot? Do you work out at a fitness center? Enjoy being involved in community centers? Is there a pharmacy nearby for your prescription needs? Does it offer adequate medical facilities?

Once you've narrowed down your preferred areas and/or community, you'll be able to narrow your home search to your selected areas.

Stay tuned for the next installment -Searching For a Home.

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