Basics of Property Management: Screening Potential Tenants

Tips For Assessing A Neighborhood When Home Shopping

27 February 2017

Jesse Obrien

When shopping for a home, there is more than the actual house to consider. While you do want to make sure the layout and features of the home meets your desires, you also need to look beyond the home and consider the neighborhood. The following tips can help you know what to look for.

Tip #1: Take a walk

Basic infrastructure in the neighborhood can help you determine if the area is holding steady or on its way up, as opposed to falling apart. Sidewalks should be in relatively good repair, as should any publicly paved area. Crumbling concrete, weeds in the verges, and trash blown all around indicates an area where the residents don't bother and that the city is no longer focusing on. If things seem relatively neat and well tended, on the other hand, then the neighborhood as a whole is probably a high priority for both residents and the municipality.

Tip #2: Check out the schools

Even if you don't have kids, local schools matter. Areas in a desirable school district often draw residents that are willing to invest within their community. It can also increase the value of your home if you plan to sell later. Don't just limit yourself to checking out the local public schools, either. Sometimes a a popular private school nearby can also drive home values upward.

Tip #3: Visit after dark

A late-night trip through a potential neighborhood can be revealing. Is the area relatively quiet, perhaps with a few stray joggers or dog walkers out? Or, do you hear music thumping from a few houses or see undesirable activities taking place under cover of darkness? It can be surprising how much a neighborhood that appears nice on the surface changes once the sun goes down, so make sure to check it out before you go under contract on a house.

Tip #4: Look into municipal plans for the area

Many development plans have long implementation windows, sometimes spanning decades. You can often find out what these are with a visit to city hall. For example, if the neighborhood has a nice green belt nearby, make sure it isn't slated to be sold off to private buyers at some point in the future. You want to see a development plan for the neighborhood that focuses on improving area infrastructure while also preserving the features you like the most in the neighborhood.

For more help, talk to a real estate agent in your area.

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