Written By: Khalil El-Ghoul Dec 8 2016

4 Tips To Find The Perfect Neighborhood For Your New Home

4 Tips for Finding The Perfect Neighborhood When Buying a New Home

1. Understand Exactly What You Want

Finding the perfect neighborhood starts with a clear understanding of what you like and dislike. Sounds simple but you'd be surprised how many people skip this step and never prioritize their likes and dislikes about their current living situation. Start by making a list of everything you love about your current neighborhood. Is it close by to coffee shops and bars? Can you walk to a nearby park or hiking trail? What do you love about the community culture? Then make a list about what you feel your current neighborhood is lacking. Maybe you need to be closer to better schools or you'd like a neighborhood that is quieter at night. Making a list of these priorities will go a long way in your search and help you narrow down the neighborhood that is best for you.

2. Do a Ton of Research

Research is the key to really understanding if a neighborhood is the perfect fit for you. Utilize the internet and local realtors to inform yourself on the need-to-know informaton about the area.

Here are some questions you should answer about the neighborhoods your considering in order to compare.

What is the average age of the people living in the neighborhood?

What is the average family size?

How close by are the local schools and what are their rankings?

What types of homes are in the neighborhood? When were most of the homes built?

Are there any historic sites near by? Any parks, hiking trails or community gardens?

What restaurants, bars and coffee shops are in walking distance? Check out their reviews on Yelp.

What is the average price for homes in the neighborhood?

Are more people renting or buying in this area?

How long do people typically live in the neighborhood?

Asking these questions and more will help you narrow down your search. Do your research on websites like NeighborhoodScout.com in order create a list of neighborhoods that make sense for you and your family.

3. Find an Agent With Experience

Real estate agents typically have area specialties and can help buyers identify whether the neighborhood they are considering is right for them based on their criteria. When researching and comparing neighborhoods, finding an agent that has experience in the neighborhood(s) on your list is essential. Your agent could assist you in learning about the demographics of recently sold homes, median home prices and insight into the history and builders around the area.

4. Visit and Wander

The best way to really get a feel of whether or not you'll love your new neighborhood is to actually go there and wander around! Visiting the neighborhoods you're considering moving to is a great way to get a feel for the people, architecture and culture. Walk around and visit local shops and restaurants. Talk to the owners and ask questions about the community. Are there any annual events within the community such as firework displays, block parties, holiday gatherings? Wandering around through the local areas will give you an opportunity to meet the neighborhood people and learn if the area checks off items on your priority list. To truly get a snapshot of life in the community, visit the neighborhood at different times of the day!

Interested in buying a home in a neighborhood in the DC Metro area?

When you work with Glass House, you can expect a streamlined transaction. We only ask that you identify the homes you want to see and get pre-approved with a local lender. Once you find the homes you're interested in viewing, Glass House steps in and offers full service representation.

You search for the houses you want to visit and get awarded for your efforts with a cash rebate valued at up to 1.5% of the home selling price. Contact us today!