Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 1.8.13

30 | JANUARY 8, 2014
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

REAL ESTATE

MONTANA LIFESTYLES
Narrowing Neighborhoods

By MICHELE DAWSON
•
In researching a neighborhood, you
must irst determine your area. The
suburbs may have lower crime sta- Once you’ve become pre-qualiied
tistics, but may be farther from your for a loan, you should be ready to put

work. Cities may have more crime, but your house-hunting eforts into full
may have other qualities that you con- gear. But don’t skip the important step of
sider more attractive, such as conve- scouting out neighborhoods before you
nience and cultural activities.
start your search for the perfect house.
The neighborhood in which you live Use the following tips to help you
will heavily dictate your whole way of learn about crime statistics in a neigh-
life – things like walking to a nearby borhood:
park with your kids, knowing your kids • Talk to neighbors.

are attending good schools, feeling safe • Talk to the police or sherif’s depart-
when your children play outdoors, be- ment.
ing close to restaurants and shopping, • Keep in mind that if you’re looking in-
enjoying a short commute, and knowing town, you may not be able to get away
your home will appreciate at a healthy from everything you consider unap-
rate.
pealing.
Of course one way to get started in A home isn’t just an investment when

your neighborhood search is to get in you have a family to think of. You’ll need
your car and explore, especially if you’re to consider more than just the number of
unfamiliar with the area. Get an idea SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO
bedrooms or whether it has an attached
about the neighborhoods by driving garage. You’ll need to consider the com-
around and seeing which areas appeal ing.
• Standardized test scores are also avail- munity irst and foremost. Do you want
to you. Walk around, explore, and talk Even if you don’t have school-aged
able on the Internet.
schools that are in walking distance?
to some of the residents. Take note of the children, buying a home in a district • Visit the schools and take a tour if you Do you want to be close to your place of
general appearance of the homes. Are with good schools will be in your best in- have children. It’s important that your employment? Do you want to be close

they well maintained? Are they nicely terest. When and if you sell the home at decision isn’t based purely through to shopping, restaurants, and other
landscaped?
some point in the future, future buyers facts gathered online. Get a true feel- services? You’ll also want to research
If you have children, you might be with children will likely consider good ing for what the school is like.
property values before you ind a home
looking for a neighborhood with plenty schools their top priority. And neighbor- • Crime statistics can have an impact on in the neighborhood that you like; prop-
of children around, as opposed to neigh- hoods with good schools typically at- a decision as well. No one would prefer erty values relect a community’s overall
borhoods that attract more seniors or tract more buyers.
to live in a neighborhood where break- health. And when you do your research,
young singles. Other factors you’ll want There are several sites on the Web ins and burglary are the norm. There ind out what houses sell for now versus
to consider are the schools, crime, your in which school reports are just a few a decade ago, ive years ago, and three
are web sites that can provide you with
family’s speciic needs, and appreciation mouse clicks away. Basically all you do is statistics on crime and other informa- years ago. Also, ind out how much prop-
- as in how much the value of the home is enter a geographical area or zip code and tion pertinent to your search.
erty taxes are and if they have gone up.
likely to increase.
it will display ratings for the school sys- • In addition to school information, Statistics and speciic information are
A professional Realtor will be very tem. You can also choose to:
Homestore lets you enter a city or zip some of the areas that a Realtor can ofer
familiar with all the neighborhoods in • Ask your Realtor about information on
code and provides you with speciic assistance in. Narrowing the choice of
the area and should be able to tell you schools in the area.
data for the area you choose. It also neighborhoods will narrow the search
about the strengths and weaknesses of • Talk to people in the neighborhood, es-
compares crime statistics with other and help choose the right home for you.

the speciic neighborhoods you’re eye-
pecially people with children.
cities.
Submitted by the NMAR PR Committee

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