Finding the best neighborhoods

If you're moving, and attempting to narrow down your list of best neighborhoods, you've no doubt read the saying "you're not just buying a house, you're buying a neighborhood."

The neighborhood where you choose to purchase (or rent) will make an impact on your quality of life.  Before you sign a purchase contract or a rental agreement that's tough to get out of, do a little homework and make sure you're choosing the best neighborhood for your needs.

Here are some great tips for ending up in a great neighborhood:

• Figure out what you're looking for in a neighborhood – make a list of your "requirements" and your "wish list" (those things that you MUST have and those that you'd like to have). For example: Do you need a large, fenced yard for children or pets? Do you need a garage? Do you need to be within walking/biking distance to your job?  If the social scene is important— what does the area offer?
• Begin Researching your top choices – check out sites like neighborhoodscout.com, Yahoo! neighborhoods, greatschools.org and crimereports.com to get the information that matters…school info and ratings, crime rates, home values etc.
• Visit the neighborhoods – Go different times of the day and while you're there, look for red flags like graffiti, abandoned buildings, vandalism, etc. Then, listen for noises that might become a nuisance…barking dogs, traffic, sirens, airplanes, trains.
• Talk to people in the area – Your real estate agent may have incentive to leave out some of the less-than-desirable things about the neighborhood. So talk to people who really know— potential neighbors, the clerk at the grocery store, the waiter at a local restaurant, people who actually live and work there. 
• Check out property values and taxes— find out what houses in the neighborhood are valued and how that compares to the values 5-10 years ago.  You can get current home values at domania.com, zillow.com or eppraisal.com and past home values from your realtor or from Zillow local or propertysites.com.   Has the property value increased or decreased?  Also, find out what the current tax rate is— has it increased in the last 5 years?  Your realtor should be able to point you in the right direction— normally to the city or county clerk. Don't forget that any future development can increase taxes (not to mention traffic in the area), so check with the Chamber of Commerce or the City Hall to see if there are any developments planned.

With a little homework (and footwork), you should be able to find a neighborhood you'll feel comfortable calling home.