Working with a REALTOR® to Find the Right Neighborhood

Are you hoping to buy a house that you can love long-term? Then shopping for the right neighborhood should be at the top of your priority list. Just like with a home, finding the right neighborhood requires an understanding of your wants, needs, and no-thank-yous, in addition to your willingness to explore your options. Your real estate agent should be a great resource when shopping for a neighborhood, along with friends, family, or colleagues who have called the neighborhood home. Our REALTORS® are here to help, with our guide to finding the right neighborhood to buy a house.

New to the Neighborhood: How Your REALTOR® Can Help

Choosing the right neighborhood starts with understanding your priorities so that you can evaluate what each potential landing spot has to offer. Some perks – like an excellent school district or easy access to a big city's downtown – can increase the price of homes in the area, which is another factor to consider. Throughout the process, your real estate agent should be your go-to resource for questions, insights, and advice about local neighborhoods.

Start By Profiling the Perfect Neighborhood for Your Needs

Before you can see what neighborhood will work for you, you need to decide what you want from your neighborhood. A few key questions: Do you have kids, or are you planning to have kids? What type of home are you looking for, and are you willing to pay extra for a premium neighborhood? What are your must-have local amenities and services? How far are you willing to commute for work and entertainment?

While it may be hard to find a neighborhood that checks off every item on your list, asking questions and aligning your priorities will make it much easier to evaluate which neighborhoods would be the best fit when you buy a house.

Research Online and Talk to Your Real Estate Agent about Potential Neighborhoods

Now that you have a better idea what you're looking for, it's time to start researching neighborhoods. You can learn a ton be searching for neighborhood information online, and the right real estate agent should have a wealth of knowledge on the neighborhoods where they do business.

Get Out There and Explore!

While there's much you can learn from a distance, there's no substitute for getting out there and experiencing neighborhoods first-hand. Develop a routine for visiting each neighborhood, so that you can easily compare your options:

• What is your first impression of the neighborhood? While first impressions don't mean everything when shopping for a neighborhood, it's certainly a positive when a locale seems like home right away.

• Where are the nearby amenities? How far away is the closest park? Are there any services that you need to have close to home?

• What do the neighbors have to say? If you can talk to people who have lived in the neighborhood for a long time, you can learn a lot about what it's like to call that neighborhood home.

• Are you enjoying your time in a neighborhood? Be sure to visit at night as well, to see what the location is like at different times of the day.

• What matters most to you? Whatever tops your priority list, make sure that your target neighborhood has it.

Still searching for the right real estate team to help you with everything from finding the right neighborhood to closing the deal? You've come to the right place. Contact First Choice REALTORS® to buy and sell homes throughout the northern panhandle of West Virginia.