Buying a home is not only a major investment, it’s an exciting time in life as well, especially if it’s the first time. An experienced real estate agent can help protect your interests in the home purchase transaction. Part of a buyers’ agent’s job is to help you get the best deal possible.
While your agent is crunching numbers, compiling paperwork and finding homes for you to tour in your chosen location, there are several things you can start checking out in the surrounding community. It’s always best to research these things before you make an official offer on a particular home. In fact, you might have needs that coincide with one or more of these issues. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, it could be a deal breaker.
Nearest hospital
Nobody wants to be a “Debbie Downer” to squash your joy when you’re buying a new house. However, it’s always best to be realistic and to think in practical terms when choosing a location for your new home. One of the first questions you’ll want to answer about the surrounding area is: How far away is the nearest hospital?
Emergencies happen. Even if you’re planning on purchasing a home in a rural area, it’s a good idea to check out where the nearest hospital happens to be. Also, how accessible are the main roads that will lead you there if there’s a need?
Church or worship center
If your family has a specific faith background, you’ll want to do a little investigating to see where the nearest church or worship center is located that you might want to attend. Having to travel long distances to and from services can be stressful, especially if you have young children in tow.
You may even want to attend a service or two, once you find a place, to get a feel for the tone, style and atmosphere. Make sure it’s a place that’s a good fit for your family before putting an offer on a home nearby.
Check out the schools, public, private or charter
If your children will be attending a brick-and-mortar school building to receive their education, finding and visiting the school should be at the top of your list of things to do before making an offer on a home. You can also access public information about a particular school. Some issues of concern might be standardized test scores, faculty/student ratio, sports programs, arts, STEM programs and more.
Will you children walk to school or ride a bus? Perhaps you’ll drive them. If so, how far away is it, and how much time will be taken up in your day to drop off and pick up the kids? Do the teachers, other parents and students seem welcoming when you visit? Do you think your kids would be comfortable there?
Family medical services, including eye care and dental
When you move into a new home, it’s possible that you’ll be looking for a new family physician, optometrist and dentist. You can visit the practices in the area, just like you can visit a school. This is especially important if someone in your household has special needs that require repeat or frequent visits to a doctor, optometrist or dentist.
What local amenities does the community have to offer?
Some other issues that might be important to you could include a fitness center, grocery stores, local parks or recreation programs, a public swimming pool, and other amenities, such as restaurants, a zoo or a shopping mall.
Consider how far you’re willing to drive to get to these and other locations, then find out the exact distance you’d be traveling if you were to make a successful offer on a home in a certain area. Does it meet your needs? This article explains how to determine a good location when buying a home.
Ask your agent
You can ask your real estate agent to help you locate some of these places. Your agent should also be able to provide local tax information as well as any historical facts that might be relevant to the area. The more you learn ahead of time about the surrounding community, the better informed you’ll be when you find a house