- If you are considering buying in an unfamiliar neighbourhood, take the
time to walk or drive around it, both during the day and in the evening.
- Check out the availability of community amenities (such as public
transportation, parks, stores, churches and schools). If you have
school-age children you may even want to visit the local schools and
daycare centres.
- It's a good idea to travel the new driving route to and from work
during the appropriate times to see what traffic is like.
- The quality of neighbourhood planning, any future development plans
and local zoning will also have a significant effect on a neighbourhood's
desirability. Re-sale values and even future property taxes are likely to
be affected by any significant neighbourhood changes. Are developers
interested in the neighbourhood? If so, find out what kind of projects
they have planned. You should remember that attractive tree-covered empty
spaces often become the location of new development in desirable areas.
- Find out if there are major infrastructure projects planned for the
area. Major construction projects, which could be anything from building a
new mass-transit station to widening the area's major roadway, are usually
part of a long-range city, town or county plan. While construction can be
disruptive, you need to determine if it will have a positive or negative
long-term effect on the neighbourhood and its property values. Find out
all you can before you decide to buy.
- Look into the local job market as well. You can expect property values
to rise if area employers are creating more jobs, especially higher-paying
jobs.
- Talk to the neighbours. They could be one of your most valuable
sources of community information.
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