|
|
Buying______
Common
Errors | Inspections
& Links | Home Inspector's Top 10
Potential Problems | Know the Market | Working
with a REALTOR® | House Hunting Worksheet
When Buying, Know the Neighborhood
One
of the most important decisions a homebuyer must make is
choosing the right neighborhood. While this is a very personal
decision that often hinges on hundreds of different factors, you
should always keep in mind the following...
- If you are considering buying in an unfamiliar
neighborhood, take the time to walk or drive around it, both
during the day and in the evening.
- Check out the availability of community amenities (such as
public transportation, parks, stores, churches and schools).
If you have school-age children you may even want to visit
the local schools and daycare centers.
- It's a good idea to travel the new driving route to and
from work during the appropriate times to see what traffic
is like.
- The quality of neighborhood planning, any future
development plans and local zoning will also have a
significant effect on a neighborhood's desirability. Re-sale
values and even future property taxes are likely to be
affected by any significant neighborhood changes. Are
developers interested in the neighborhood? If so, find out
what kind of projects they have planned. You should remember
that attractive tree-covered empty spaces often become the
location of new development in desirable areas.
- Find out if there are major infrastructure projects
planned for the area. Major construction projects, which
could be anything from building a new mass-transit station
to widening the area's major roadway, are usually part of a
long-range city, town or county plan. While construction can
be disruptive, you need to determine if it will have a
positive or negative long-term effect on the neighborhood
and its property values. Find out all you can before you
decide to buy.
- Look into the local job market as well. You can expect
property values to rise if area employers are creating more
jobs, especially higher-paying jobs.
- Talk to the neighbors. They could be one of your most
valuable sources of community information.
|
|
One Hovchild
Plaza - 4000 Route 66, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
Phone: (732) 918-1340 - General Fax: (732) 918-1906 - MLS
Fax: (732) 918-0716
www.MOMLS.com, The Home for Monmouth/Ocean Real Estate.
Copyright © 2002 Monmouth County Association of REALTORS®
and RJR
Solutions, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Information herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
|
|
