| You probably have heard this question before: | | | | Court ruling has made it easier for towns to take |
| what are the three most important things when it | | | | action that could drastically change any |
| comes to buying a home? Realtors will almost | | | | neighborhood. Fortunately, some states have |
| always give you their stock answer: location, | | | | stepped in to strengthen homeowner rights in a |
| location, location. If your home is in the right | | | | bid to limit this practice; you may want to |
| location, then you'll find almost everything else | | | | familiarize yourself with state law to understand |
| about the neighborhood to be just fine. On the | | | | your rights as a homeowner. |
| other hand, a bad location can come back to | | | | Public Schools, Local Services, and Commuting |
| haunt you in the form of crime, reduced home | | | | Time to Work |
| values, schools, long commuting time to work, and | | | | The quality of life in any community is often |
| more. | | | | measured by three factors: public schools, local |
| Let's take a look at several factors that should | | | | services, and commuting time to work. Besides |
| weigh in when you select your next home. | | | | your home's condition, size, and neighborhood, |
| Take a Walk Around the Neighborhood | | | | property values can vary dramatically from one |
| The home that interests you could be structurally | | | | town to the next. |
| sound and situated on a quiet street filled with well | | | | Some things to be on the look out for include: |
| kept homes. At first glance, it looks as if you are | | | | - Whether you have children or not, the quality of |
| in an ideal location. However, by taking tours of | | | | the local public schools will have a significant impact |
| the neighborhood at different times of the day | | | | on house values and taxes. If the schools are |
| and week (preferably on foot to get a true feel | | | | rated above average than your housing values will |
| for the area) is the best way to determine what | | | | be reflected accordingly. An older or expanding |
| a neighborhood is really like. | | | | school system means that the district will have to |
| Some things to be on the look out for include: | | | | increase taxes in order to accommodate |
| - Are the homes on the surrounding blocks as | | | | renovations or expansion. Paying higher school |
| well kept as the homes in your area? Signs of | | | | taxes may be necessary in order to maintain |
| deterioration nearby could signal that your | | | | home values. |
| neighborhood may soon experience the same | | | | - Local services provided by the municipality can |
| problems. You'll also want to check the appraised | | | | vary from town to town. Incorporated areas |
| values of nearby homes to determine whether | | | | offer the most services with correspondingly |
| the home you are interested in compares | | | | higher municipal taxes. If your home is outside of |
| favorably. | | | | city limits who pays for garbage renewal, |
| - What is the town's zoning for the area? A | | | | recycling, water, and emergency services? What |
| mixed use of residential and commercial | | | | about libraries, community centers, and parks? |
| properties doesn't have to be a show stopper, | | | | Lower property taxes could quickly be offset by |
| but if the town has plans to allow a nearby | | | | higher out of pocket fees for uncovered, but |
| factory to replace an office building, do you want | | | | desired services. |
| to have a factory for a neighbor? Apartments, | | | | - Commuting time to work is especially important |
| trailers, and other forms of rental properties | | | | as gas prices continue to rise. Homes nearest to |
| nearby could mean that the neighborhood is more | | | | major areas of employment will usually command |
| transient than you like. | | | | a higher value than homes where a longer |
| - The line of forested lots backing up to the | | | | commute is necessary. |
| neighborhood is certainly serene and enjoyable. | | | | Finally, before buying your next home get a copy |
| You will want to find out who owns the land or | | | | of the neighborhood's crime report from the |
| that park-like setting could eventually fall to the | | | | police department, learn the flight patterns for the |
| developer's bulldozer. Be on the look out for | | | | closest airport, and take a look at a local map to |
| power lines, gas lines, and other right-of-way | | | | find out just how far away shopping, hospitals, |
| areas. | | | | and government services are from your home. |
| - Eminent domain is a concern for many | | | | The more time you spend on researching the |
| homeowners today. This is where the town can | | | | neighborhood, the better equipped you will be to |
| condemn entire neighborhoods to make | | | | select the right home at the right price in the right |
| "improvements" by welcoming other forms of | | | | neighborhood: location, location, location! |
| housing or businesses. A recent U.S. Supreme | | | | |