Wednesday, March 24, 2021 / by Sonya Reiselt
Tips for Finding the Ideal Beaufort Area Neighborhood for your Family!
Many factors go into finding the perfect home for you and your family and one of the most important is, without a doubt, finding the right neighborhood. Finding a home in the right neighborhood is more than just making sure the lot is big enough and the neighbors are friendly. You need to consider safety, lifestyle, amenities & the overall well-being that the neighborhood also provides. Here are some starting points in figuring out your family’s ideal new neighborhood!
Always start by making a list. Make sure you’re asking yourself the right questions when compiling lists. Making lists of pros and cons, needs vs wants will help you keep organized and ensure you've included all the important aspects. Consider these topics when compiling neighborhood and home lists:
- · Absolute Musts
- · Deal-Breakers
- · Preferred Features and Amenities
- · Neighborhoods you prefer right now
Keep an open mind. It’s ok to have your heart set on specific attributes in a neighborhood or a specific neighborhood in and of itself, but it’s also important to remember to keep an open mind. With the “perfect” neighborhood comes increased demand in an already tough market. Keep your options open and remember that there will be ideal features that you can check off your list in many of the neighborhoods you may or may not already be considering.
Keep the school district in mind. School districts are a major factor in what neighborhood many families live in. If your children already attend school, it might be a priority for your family to find a new home within the same district. Or, you might have your heart set on your kids attending a specific school, thus the reason for the move. If you’re thinking school districts won’t affect you because you don’t have to think about your kids attending one, think again. When it comes to property values and fluctuations on the market, a school district makes a big difference. Top schools will also have an impact on the area’s property taxes. So, children or not, school districts matter when searching for a neighborhood!
Are there certain conveniences you have your heart set on? Is your family accustomed to walking to your favorite parks, restaurants, and to school in the morning? If these are luxuries that you’ve grown to rely on over the years, you’ll want to take that into consideration for your new neighborhood. If you don’t need to walk to your favorite spots, make sure you know just how far away you’re willing to be. a short drive? Within the school bus route? Will they deliver to your new address? Sit down as a family and figure out what’s important to each person before making a final list of necessary conveniences.
Never underestimate crime and safety. While you might be familiar with a particular city’s overall safety, this can fluctuate greatly depending on what neighborhood you’re in. Start with things that are important to you regarding everyday safety. Are sidewalks and streetlights a must? These are often overlooked so, if they are, make sure to add them to your list. Look up crime reports and history online by using the address for the potential new home or the neighborhood’s name. If you aren’t fully satisfied with the information you find, make sure to talk to your realtor. They are experts and will know just how to find the information you need to make the best decision for your family’s safety.
What are the neighbors like? While this is a difficult question to truly answer until you’re moved in and settled into a new community, there are ways to tell if the neighbors around a potential new home are what you’re looking for. Drive around the neighborhood a couple of times and take in the surroundings. Are there kids playing outside? Are the homes all maintained well? Are the pets taken care of and staying in their own yards? Do you see neighbors waiving as you drive past? You can tell quite a bit about the community itself in a neighborhood if you know what you’re looking for!
Are the taxes within your budget? We often think about home prices and nothing else when it comes to what’s within our budget. However, property taxes can vary greatly depending on what county, city, and neighborhood you’re in. Make sure to take this into consideration when comparing potential neighborhoods.
Search any neighborhood in the Beaufort SC area with all your prerequisites here:
Finding a perfect neighborhood is another reason why having a trusted and experienced realtor, like Sonya Reiselt, is so important! You can always rest easy knowing that she will do everything she can to not only find your family your ideal home but also your ideal neighborhood!
