Home Buyer's Guide: 
Finding Your Home

NEIGHBORHOOD FACTORS TO CONSIDER: 

There are many factors to consider when selecting a home that's right for you. Below are just a few of the many factors--you may think of others that are important to you.

Neighborhoods have characteristic personalities designed to best suit single people, growing families, two-career couples or retirees. It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person. You live in more than your house.

• Talk to people who live there.

• Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week and on weekends.

• Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained; are they painted, are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition, etc.

• Look for things like access to major thoroughfares, highways and shopping.

• Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.

• Smell the air for adjacent commerce or agriculture.

• Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information on the area.

• Research things like soil and water.

• Look at traffic patterns around the area during different times of the day and drive from the area to work.

• Find out if the neighborhood is near parks, churches, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.

• Find out if the neighborhood belongs to a Homeowner's Association.

• Find out what types of assessment taxes are associated with the neighborhood.

HOUSE CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER:

Essential items to consider before viewing potential homes:

• Price

• Proximity to neighbors

• Safe area

• Near public transportation

• Quiet street

• Number of bedrooms

• Utility costs

• Maintenance

• Space for children/Space for entertaining

• Lot size/Fenced/Garden space

• Privacy

• Attached garage

• Interior and exterior space for hobbies

• Location for washer and dryer

• Fireplace

• Resale value