Finding your dream neighbourhood may seem like the easiest part of the home buying process, but once you start factoring in the budget, necessities and proximity, it can become a lot more difficult to narrow it down. If you’re looking for a new neighbourhood, here are five things you need to consider before making a final decision:
- Safety/Crime
It’s important that you feel safe at home so don’t brush off this very important task. Use websites like CrimeReports.com to research your desired areas so you can get a better idea of the safety levels surrounding your potential dream homes. Ask your real estate agent for resources and remember that it’s up to you to determine what level of crime you feel safe with.
- Taxes
Property Taxes can pay a huge part in your overall cost of living so they can have a big influence on the area you choose. When you’re checking out online property listings, look beyond the fresh coat of paint and new renovations and make note of property tax information so it doesn’t surprise you later on in the process.
- School Zones
If you have children, or plan on having them in the future, make sure that you do your homework when it comes to school zones. Evaluate the schools in your desired neighbourhoods, determine their boundaries and don’t forget to check out community centres or parks since they tend to increase the value of the neighbourhood as well. A great tool to search out Windsor school zones or any other school zones in Windsor & Essex County is BusKids.ca, from that website you can search all schools in the city or county along with it’s programs and bus schedules.
- Property Value
Looking at homes that have recently sold in a neighbourhood is a great way to get a better sense of potential value. Be sure to ask your real estate agent about comparables in the area and what the projected growth might be in the next few years. At the end of the day, buying a home is an investment so make sure you choose wisely. The value of a home in Windsor yesterday is not necessarily the value of the home in today’s market.
- Geography
The geographical location of certain neighbourhoods can play a large part in the overall cost of the homes in that area. Are you overlooking a beautiful scenic park? Is the water close by? Also be sure to consider flood zones or danger-prone areas that may require special insurance. A user friendly tool for surrounding amenities is Google Maps. Utilizing the ‘Satellite View’ is also very useful.
Using these five factors as a guide can help you determine what’s most important to you when looking for a neighbourhood and a dream home. Still have questions? Get all the answers you need from our trusted team of experts. Whether you’re buying, selling or just want to learn more, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
