Choosing the neighborhood for your home
Information for first time home buyers

Buying a home is an investment in the neighborhood as well as the house. In fact, the character and amenities of the neighborhood may be as important to the property value as the house itself. No matter what kind of neighborhood you're looking for, it's important to know its history and future when you decide to buy. Here's what to research:

1. Recent sales - Find out if the market is slow and what homes have been selling for.
2. Homes now for sale - What homes are listed in the area, and are they listed above past sales? This will give you a good idea of the area's overall market value.
3. Home appreciation - Historical data on sales gives the best indicator of a neighborhood's potential. Are homes appreciating at 3%, 5%, 10% or higher every year?
4. Schools - School scores and district boundaries are very important to research before moving into a neighborhood. The closest school is not always in your district, and school scores reveal if a neighborhood is invested in the schools' success.
5. Crime - Get the hard facts about any problems in the neighborhood -- don't depend on anecdotal information.
6. Demographics and growth - Find out how the area is growing and changing.
7. Community - Learn about neighborhood features, such as public schools, shopping areas, parks, commuting options and more.
   

I can help you with this information. Please give me a call or email me any questions you have. You'll find that the more you know about the neighborhoods you're considering, the easier it will be to narrow your search for your new home.

See our other articles for first time homebuyers:

• First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
• Why Buy a home instead of renting
• Where to search and how to find current listings
• Considering a move? Steps to take
• How to Look for Foreclosures?
• The home search. Choosing your home
• Homebuyer tips
• The home search. Finding out how much you can afford
• The pre-qualification process
• The difference between getting pre-qualified and pre-approved
• Local South Bay Mortgage Lenders and Loan Brokers
• Down payments
• What does your mortgage pay for: PITI
• The loan process
• Understanding Closing Costs
• Homeowners Insurance
• CAR Mortgage Protection Program