A North Atlanta Home Search Process
Now that you have your price range and your “Must Haves”, you need to get familiar with what’s out there…DO DRIVE-BYS / SCOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS:
It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person. You live in more than your house.
o Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends.
o Look carefully at how well the other homes in the area are being maintained. Are they painted? Are the yards well cared for? Are parked cars in good condition?
CONSIDER NEIGHBORHOOD FACTORS
o Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
o Smell the air for adjacent commerce or agriculture.
o Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area.
o Research things like soil and water.
o Look at traffic patterns around the area during different times of the day and drive from the area to work.
o Is the neighborhood near parks, churches, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.?
o Does the neighborhood belong to a Homeowner’s Association?
RESEARCH SCHOOLS & CRIME
There are so many factors to
consider when researching schools. You must decide what’s important to you and your child. Is
it curriculum or test scores or diversity of student body?
Many sources of information
are online, such as greatschools.net, the Georgia Department of Education and
the National Center for Education Statistics. Of course, you should
visit the school, if possible.
One of the things that
frustrates both clients and REALTORS® is that due to Fair Housing
laws, we are prohibited from commenting on whether or not a neighborhood is
“safe.”
The web, however, fills that
void nicely with a variety of tools. One tool that’s very useful is CrimeReports.com.
Just enter an address and the map populates with recent crime data, including
police calls and arrests.
Another valuable tool as you narrow your search is the local police department. Your can give
them a call or check online to get the rundown on crime.
GO ON HOME TOURS AND OPEN HOUSES WITH YOUR AGENT
www.mevluxuryhomes.com
A North Atlanta Home Search Process
