How to Find Your Home

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is 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. 

SCOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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.

NEIGHBORHOOD FACTORS TO CONSIDER

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 about

 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.