There are many factors to consider when selecting a home and neighborhood that are right foryou. Below are just a few of the many components that you should keep in mind, but you maythink of others that are important to you.Neighborhoods have characteristic personalities designed to best suit single people, growingfamilies, two-career couples, or retirees.Scout the Neighborhood!Whenever you are looking to purchase a house, it is important to scout the neighborhood inperson. Remember, you will be living in more than just your house. While in the area, but sureto:
• Talk to people who live there. Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, both during the week and on
weekends.
• Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained; are they
painted, are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition, etc.?Neighborhood Factors to Consider
• Look for things like access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping.
Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc. Smell the air for adjacent commerce or agriculture. Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about thearea. Research things like soil and water. Look at traffic patterns around the area during different times of the day and drivefrom the area to your work. Find out if the neighborhood is near parks, churches, recreation centers, shoppingcenters, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc. Find out if the neighborhood belongs to a homeowner’s association.Home Factors to Consider Look for things that you like about your current home; similarly, watch out forthings you don’t like about your current home. Watch for the exterior features you want—yard size, garage, pool, etc. Find out if the house has the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and other rooms thatyou want, etc. Look for homes with adequate room for the size of your household, your pets, and all of your belongings
