How do I know if a neighborhood is right for me? The truth is not all neighborhoods are nice ... nor are all neighbors nice.
When shopping for a house or condo, your real estate agent can not mislead or steer you to or away from any specific neighborhood. As a seller your real estate agent will almost always say the obligatory “nice neighborhood” or even “established neighborhood” someplace within the narrative. As an added bonus many times the agent will even throw in “excellent schools nearby” as well!
The truth is not all neighborhoods are nice.
Some are old and run down. Some are crime-ridden (or, in a more PC manner "have a greater propensity to be the site of criminal activity!"). Some are on a property value downward spiral. And, lets aface it, not all schools are excellent.
As a buyer you must take some initiative and do some research on your own. Call local law enforcement to check the statistics for the area. Consult the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offender web site. Visit the schools personally before deciding on a house (verify school assignment as changes happen). Consult the Brevard County Public School website or a site like schoolmatters.com.
Here are a few more tips to consider when selecting a neighborhood in which to live:
• Drive around the neighborhood after school (or during the weekend) to see what its like when folks are home.
• Get out and talk to neighbors.
• How many folks are walking their dogs, riding bikes, out with their children?
• What is the traffic like?
• How are the nearby houses maintained?
• How many houses are for sale or being foreclosed?
• What is the percentage of owner-occupied homes?
• If there is a homeowner or condo association ask around about issues, effectiveness and organization.
This is not a comprehensive list, just some suggestions for consideration as you begin your home search.
Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.
Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.
Excellent suggestions? I use a lot of these when I advise my Buyers on how to evaluate Neighborhoods.
Great post!
Thanks
Mario - Thanks. It is important that buyers look beyond the property boundaries.
Great post Gary; That's what I tell the buyers I take out. You can change anything in the house that you don't like, you can't change the neighborhood. If it's nice, you would not want to change it.
When shopping for a house or condo, your real estate agent can not mislead or steer you to or away from any specific neighborhood.
In Britain, when homeowners sell their homes, they have a legal obligation to reveal details of any past disputes they have had with their neighbors, reports The Sunday Times of London. An 80-year-old widow who failed to inform buyers that she had twice complained to the local authorities about a noisy neighbor was successfully sued for misrepresentation. Now she faces bankruptcy following a $45,000 judgment. The new owners lived in the house for six years, but they found life next to their neighbor intolerable and had no choice but to sell, they told the court. To avoid such problems, some buyers have resorted to hiring private detectives to check on the conduct of their prospective neighbors. A cursory examination can cost as little as $75, but some buyers are prepared to pay $1,500 for a more thorough check.
... interesting solution!
Ken - Thanks, like that changing the house, not the neighborhood, is possible! I should have used that!
Marian - That is very interesting - a legal requirement to disclose your neighbors may be "jerks!" Very interesting, hiring hiring private detectives! Thanks.
Hi Gary! I hit that suggest button for you--this is great advice! I tell my buyers all the time that they have to do a little homework too! Much of it involves visiting the communities at various times of the day/night to get a feel for neighborhood activity. If they want alot of children in the 'hood, then they'll want to see for themselves if there's a good number in a particular community.
Excellent post!
Sage advice, especially considering how many questions we get that we cannot answer, lest we violate any HUD laws.
(Now bring back your smiley picture) :-P
Debe - Thanks. Buyers have to take some responsibility or live with a bad decision!
Lisa - My smiley picture...? I need a new picture. Maybe on Daytone Beach tomorrow! I will be spoending the weekedn in your neck of the woods..maybe Down the Hatch Restaurant!
I’ve always needed a neighborhood that was easy to walk in. That means that it has to have sidewalks, the houses have to have garages, and people actually have to park their cars in their garages rather than on the street.
I noticed that our MLS just started adding Walkscores to it. I thought that was pretty neat. There is one neighborhood here that I walk in regularly where I think every single person has a dog, and every single person is always out walking the dog.
Jim - Your summary is the first paragraph is right on target for me as well! I have looked at the Walkscores system and it really does seem like it would be beneficial for those in the metro areas like San Diego. Thanks!