carlin

You hear people say it all the time: "Location, location, location!" But that doesn't just mean where the home is located - it involves everything having to do with the location. When you look at a home, you also have to consider the kind of neighborhood the home is in. Are the other homes well-taken care of? What kind of businesses are nearby? Are there grocery stores or malls that are convenient and easy to get to? Don't forget to also consider:

1. Schools- If you have kids or plan to have them, you'll want to research the school system that's in the area you like to make sure your kids will be getting an education that's up to your standards.
2. Safety- Consider the crime level of the area. When you look around the area, ask yourself if you and your family would feel safe and comfortable living there. Contact the local police department or check the Internet to find out more about the crime level.
3. Traffic- If you like a particular area, think about the traffic level. If you lived there, what route would you take to work? How long would it take you to get there? Does the traffic create too much noise (if you're, say, next to a highway or set of railroad tracks)?
4. Local Property Values- Find out what the rate of home appreciation is in the area and how much people are paying in property taxes (since these taxes may be factored into your monthly mortgage payment). New construction or new homes may indicate a possible increase in property values (as well as traffic) in the future.