A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood
By Realtor David van benthemChoosing the right neighbourhood is just as important as finding the perfect home. Not only does it affect your day-to-day but also the long-term value of your investment. Here are five tips to consider when evaluating a neighbourhood:
1. Safety is often the top priority for families. Crime doesn’t limit itself to any specific area; however, it does follow trends and patterns. Become familiar with neighbourhoods and levels of crime rates.
2. For those with children, schools are a big factor. Proximity and types of schools are important to consider. Ironically, as I’m writing this, I started speaking with a buyer walking through my open house and she explained her concern about schooling and their need to now find a new home based on school quality and transportation. The neighborhood may be right in the short term but may not meet your needs down the road.
3. Knowing the community. Do you prefer privacy and solitude or do you like an active community? Does the neighbourhood have diversity? What is the prominent age of the community? Does the community meet your needs in terms of activities and sports? I wouldn’t have thought that was so important, but having a couple of boys go through hockey, it opened my eyes to a whole new world.
4. Before buying a home, familiarize yourself with the local amenities; trails/paths, parks, community centres, shopping, coffee shops, etc. These are things that will affect your daily living. Does the neighbourhood provide close proximity to the important aspects of your living?
5. Future Development and Growth. Investigating the future development plans for a neighbourhood can provide insight into its potential growth. While development can increase property values, it can also change the character of a neighbourhood. Be aware of how upcoming changes might impact your lifestyle and property investment.