Commonly Made Mistakes When Choosing a New Neighborhood
A recent article published on MSN looks at some mistakes people often make when choosing a neighborhood to relocate to. Most people comb over a potential new home but neglect to spend sufficient time investigating the surrounding neighborhood.
Andrew Schiller, founder and CEO of NeighborhoodScout, told the source, “Most people focus on the house… and only secondarily look at the neighborhood. “
Only thinking in the short-term
One of the most common mistakes made by people buying a home is that they only think in the short-term, MSN reports. Many people move into a new home during a major life transition, such as starting a family or following a separation. For example, a young couple with a baby on the way might not want to move away from an urban environment, but they would need to consider whether a suburban area would be better suited for childrearing.
Neglecting to verify information
People looking at homes for sale often neglect to verify information they gather on a potential new neighborhood. MSN states that people might hear from co-workers and friends that an area has good schools and low crime rates, but many people don’t bother confirming any of this data. Checking out statistics and ensuring that a potential home is indeed within the radius of a desired school can ensure that a new
homeowner doesn’t receive unpleasant surprises down the road.
Overlooking or underestimating the commute
Many people looking into a new home overlook or underestimate the commute. Home buyers need to keep in mind that visiting a neighborhood in the middle of the day won’t give them an accurate portrayal of commute times during rush hours. While a nice home in a beautiful suburb seems ideal, people may want to reconsider if they’re going to be spending several hours getting to and from work each day.
Not checking out the neighbors themselves
A final mistake people often make when buying a home is not checking out the neighbors, according to MSN. Inspecting the surrounding homes can give a person an idea about potential neighbors, but the only way to really make sure is to walk around and talk to people. Ask about habits, lifestyles and likes and dislikes about the neighborhood to get an understanding of potential new neighbors.
If you are considering a move to the Metro Detroit area be sure to contact Gordon Johnson at Coldwell Banker Preferred, Realtors. Gordon has earned the ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative) and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) professional designations and is willing to put his education and experience to work for you. Gordon’s Office is located at 44644 Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth, MI 48170. Gordon can be contacted by phone or text at (734) 658-3662 or by e-mail at Gordon@DiscoverGreatHomes.com
I agree buyers should focus on the neighborhood first. Home location will dictate the life style people will enjoy. Schools, safety, shopping and work commute are the most important factors home buyers should consider when evaluating a community.