5 Questions to Ask Your Realtor Before Moving to a New Neighborhood
Buying
When you get ready to buy a new home, you want to make sure it’s a good fit in every way. From the room sizes to the property values and beyond, it’s essential to do your due diligence as you shop for a new place to live. One commonly overlooked area to investigate is the neighborhood.
While most people understand what they’re looking for in a neighborhood, few think to ask their realtor. Unfortunately, this often leads to disappointment down the road. Avoid this outcome by considering these five important neighborhood questions to ask your realtor before you move in.
5 Questions to Ask Your Realtor
1. Where’s the nearest grocery store?
Nobody wants to drive fifty miles for groceries, and a good grocery store is a critical piece in any nice neighborhood. To avoid surprises down the road, ask your realtor where the nearest and best grocery stores are and then go check them out for yourself. You’re going to be spending a large amount of time there, so it’s wise to take a look before you buy.
2. Are there parks or open spaces?
Parks and open green spaces increase the health baseline of a given community. Before you commit to buying a house, ask your realtor about green space. This will give you a good idea of how easily accessible the parks are, and where they lie in relation to your would-be home.
3. Is it safe?
A realtor will be able to give you up-to-date statistics on the safety and crime rate of a given neighborhood. This, in turn, will help you make a good purchasing decision and ensure that the neighborhood you choose to move into is one that accommodates your long-term needs and goals.
4. What are housing prices like in this neighborhood?
Housing prices vary widely depending on neighborhood. To ensure the home you’re interested in is a good investment, ask your realtor how property prices have changed in recent years. This will help you get a feel for the trends and declines of the area.
5. What are the school districts like?
If you have kids or are planning to have kids, ask about the school districts. Even if you’re not planning to have children, houses in quality school districts hold their value and sell at higher rates, so it’s wise to ensure that your would-be home is within rage of a great school district.
Ask the Right Questions to Find Your Dream House
Moving into a new home is exciting, but it can be fraught if you don’t come prepared with the right neighborhood questions to ask a realtor. Luckily, this list will help you get started on the right foot. In addition to helping you interpret housing prices, these questions can also forecast the future value and outcome of your property. These things can help you make a wiser housing decision and save you from unwelcome surprises down the road.
