Things to Consider When Choosing a New Neighborhood

If you’re considering the purchase of one of the new homes in Grand Forks, there’s more to consider than just the home itself. It’s important to look at the overall neighborhood and area where you will be living. While some people might not mind a longer drive for groceries, or work from home and don’t have to worry about a commute, others may feel differently. Plus, there are schools, fees, safety and amenities to consider, so here are some things to keep in mind during your house and neighborhood hunt.

• Extra Costs: You may know how much you can afford when it comes to a mortgage, but there are other costs to keep in mind. One important one is property taxes. If you’re moving from out of state, the difference may be significant and either benefit you or potentially lower the amount you can spend on a home. If you choose a community with a Home Owners Association, there may be fees. Also, if you’re far from work or basic amenities, you’re going to spend more on gas. Can you afford these potential extra costs?
• Schools: Whether you have children or not, you want a home in a good school district. If you have children, obviously, it’s a positive benefit. Even if you don’t have children, when it comes time to sell your home in the future, a school district that is consistently ranked well tends to increase the value of your home.
• Safety and Accessibility: You should check online sites, as well as ask your realtor, about the overfall safety of the neighborhood you’re considering. Things change and it’s important to know if a community is slipping, improving, or consistently safe. You also want police, fire, hospitals, etc., nearby, in case of emergency.
• Convenience: As mentioned, some people don’t mind driving further to get to grocery stores, shopping, dining, etc., especially if they get spacious lots and tranquility in exchange. Yet for most people, there needs to be some sort of balance. Grocery stores, schools, and some basic shopping and dining, should be a short drive away, at least for the basics. After all, if you have kids in school and they’re participating in after-school activities, you don’t want the drive to and from school to be interruptive to the rest of the family and your children’s own personal time. Grocery shopping should also be within a reasonable distance for those last-minute items. Even some basic amenities like parks are nice to have nearby so you can get out and enjoy your free time.

A good tip, besides simply driving around the neighborhood and timing trips to schools, work, shopping, etc., is to actually get out and meet the neighbors in the neighborhood you’re considering. If you’re driving around and find people outdoors, perhaps doing some yardwork, stop and explain that you’re considering the neighborhood and ask for their feelings. Consider looking for people who may match your period in life, as younger families may have different thoughts and opinions than empty nesters. Fortunately, people are often happy to tell you about the neighborhood and can give you a clearer idea of what life will be like when you buy one of the homes in Grand Forks.

Categorised in: benefits of new construction, Community Profile, New Home Tips, Things to Consider When Choosing a New Neighborhood, Things To Do

This post was written by Crary Real Estate