The perfect home in an imperfect neighborhood may still leave a lot to be desired. When you buy a house, you’re essentially buying a stake in the community in which it is located. If you dislike important elements of that community, you’re unlikely to enjoy living there.

Unfortunately, a lot of first-time homebuyers overlook neighborhoods when visiting homes for sale. Many purchase their “dream houses” only to become miserable down the road. With this in mind, we’ll provide a quick guide for deciding whether a community offers the features you and your family consider important. One side note: the following discussion does not address community developments that might make a home a good investment. Instead, we’ll focus on whether the neighborhood poses a good fit.

Consider Your Priorities And Preferences

Before you visit properties, you should have a good idea regarding what you want from a neighborhood. For example, think of its location with respect to your job. How far will you need to commute each day? If you have young children, consider the quality of nearby parks and local schools. You should also think about the places that are within walking distance. Are there restaurants, stores, and movie theaters near the home?

Don’t forget to consider parking in the immediate area. Is there enough space on the street for visiting friends and family?

Another aspect first-time homebuyers often neglect is whether a community is quiet or noisy. For example, a secluded street filled with older neighbors is likely to pose less noise than college kids renting the properties. Keep in mind, the noise level may be less obvious during the day. Ask your real estate agent to fill in the details.

Digging Deeply Into Neighborhood Details

Once you have narrowed your search to a few homes for sale in locations that meet your preferences, you’ll need to dig more deeply. Take a closer look at the quality of the local schools. How do they perform in comparison to other school districts? Have the teachers established their careers there?

Also, note the locations of local parks and community centers. Living within walking distance is usually an advantage, especially if you have children. But living right next to a park may become problematic due to noise on the weekends and evenings.

Look up crime rate data for the area (this information can be found online). If the rate is higher than that of other communities, factor this into your buying decision.

If these details are favorable, home values in the area will likely perform better over time. More importantly, your experience as a homeowner is likely to be more rewarding.

Visit The Community For A First-Person Experience

Most of the due diligence we’ve discussed thus far can be done online, or by speaking with your real estate agent. At some point, however, you’ll need to visit the neighborhoods in which you’re thinking of living. When you do so, take note of your initial comfort level. Does the community feel safe, friendly, and conducive to your priorities? Look for “House For Sale” signs. One or two does not suggest a problem. Several on the same street might.

Also, take the time to speak with those who live in the area. If neighbors are outside, ask them to share their experience as homeowners in the community. Inquire about things they enjoy (nearby restaurants, quiet streets, etc.), and those they would like to see changed.

This will provide a personal impression of the neighborhood, and give you a broader perspective than you’ll receive online or by talking to your agent.

Handling The Logistics Of Buying A Home

Once you decide on a home, you’ll need to determine whether it fits your budget. You’ll also need to work with your lender to identify the type of mortgage that makes sense for you (fixed rate, adjustable rate, interest-only, etc.). Your real estate agent will then help you to submit an offer, and negotiate the price with the seller. When escrow opens, home inspections and other details can be finalized prior to assuming ownership of the property.

Buying a home is an exciting process, even for those who have gone through it many times. But don’t forget to consider the neighborhood in which the house is located. It will play a key role in your experience as a homeowner.

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