Your home is not just a property, it reflects what you cherish and hold dear and it is the place where you should feel most comfortable. Usually it is also part of a larger neighbourhood and community. In this post we tackle the factors that go into choosing a good neighbourhood.

When you buy a property you aren’t just getting a house but is buying into a particular locale with features you consider valuable or even vital. Whether it is a good location that is near to work or your children’s school and possessing activities you enjoy, like shopping, sports, fine dining, nightlife; or for its aesthetic qualities; good beaches, nature and scenery, panoramic views, tranquillity or green spaces.

Create Lists

What you will need is a checklist of everything that is important to you and your family. This list should have on all the things you value about where you currently live as well as those things important to you about potential neighbourhoods you are considering.

Look around at what makes your current community special or a place you called home. Decide if these are factors you want or that will be available in target neighbourhoods

After creating the list compare how closely each factor or neighbourhood is to your targets and to characteristics you found desirable.

Neighbourhood characteristics you should consider

Each person is different and has different likes and dislikes, needs and preferences. We each have our own perspectives on beauty, convenience and comfort. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ in home buying nor of what makes a ‘good neighbourhood’. A good neighbourhood for you would be one that suits your needs and unique lifestyle.  Some factors to consider are:

• Location, Location, Location!!!
  • Commute time to work and schools, and of course the traffic situation
  • Proximity and travel times to the school your child will be attending
  • Depending on your preferences proximity to amenities, recreational activities, shopping, retail areas, hospitals, entertainment spots, restaurants

• Type of community
  • Urban versus rural, would you prefer to live in a town house for example as compared to country? They both have their advantages and disadvantages.
  • What do you prefer a gated community, a large estate, condo or none of the above
  • Neighbourhood versus no neighbourhood

• People and culture – A community is above all the people who live there and the following are important.
  • Are your neighbours noisy or tend to throw large parties most weekends?
  • Are your neighbours sociable or hardly noticeable?
  • Does the community have many children among the same age as your own to play with?
  • Does the community have similar values to yours or at similar levels of income or social status?

• Other considerations
  • Is the neighbourhood safe and what is the potential for crime
  • Look at income and property values of the neighbourhood
  • Are they many vacant homes

Learning about the neighbourhood

Many of the characteristics above are important and help give you a good understanding of the neighbourhood. However, you shouldn’t rely on only a few sources to get information. To have a more adequate picture, here are a few additional suggestions:

• You might want to visit a neighbourhood in person as nothing gives you a better sense of what it’s like to move to new location than checking it out for yourself
• While visiting neighbourhoods you may have the opportunity to talk to residents
• If you have friends or co-workers that live in or near the area ask a question, you’ll be surprised to find who lives in that area or knows someone who does, with stories to share, they can provide good tips as well
• Neighbourhood reviews in newspapers and magazines
• Google it sometimes depending on the neighbourhood or area you may find some info on the internet

Final Words

Our final parting words on choosing a good neighbourhood and community. Above all do not just choose what friends, family or anybody else thinks is a good neighbourhood, you have to make that decision for yourself based on your own perspective.  However to ignore good advice and especially that from your agent would be to your detriment, always seek counsel from your agent as they have more experience in understanding what to look for in the neighbourhood.

When it comes to home renovations, 2011 is the year to think small. So in the upcoming year – when small will be the new big – how about putting a little do it yourself action on your list of New Year’s resolutions? The concept is simple: do one small home improvement project each month for the whole year. To aid you on your quest, we’ve assembled monthly projects for you to tackle in 2011. Each one is easy and cost effective to complete, and designed to add beauty and value to your home. Come year’s end you’ll have a brand-new home – without an enormous hole in your wallet.

February – Get Organized

There’s no need to scrimp and save for an extravagant renovation project like adding a second story. Simply clearing up the clutter in your home can double it in size,

March – Spring Cleaning

Don’t be overwhelmed by the thought of spring cleaning. Breeze through the mess by tackling it in a room-by-room fashion Wash windows and floors; polish furniture; clean bathrooms; dust light bulbs and light fixtures; tame clutter zones; and polish wood furniture. No time for a big scrubfest? Remember, you have a whole month – so don’t try to get all your spring cleaning done at once. Break it down and you can clean your home in just 10 minutes a day.

April – Clean Rain Gutters

Rain gutters carry away thousands of gallons of water from your house’s exterior and foundation walls. Your gutters are due for an inspection and cleaning before the heavy rains begin. Cleaning gutters is a simple DIY task and an important small project to complete, as blocked gutters and downspouts can cause rot and other water-based damage to your home.

May – Power Wash

Pressure washing is a fast and easy way to blast grime, mold and mildew off of your home’s exterior, decks, driveways, and sidewalks. Pressure washing is a potentially hazardous job, so stand at least three feet away from the surface you’re cleaning. Make sure to avoid windows, light fixtures, and anything else that could break under the pressure. If you’re not comfortable using the equipment, simply hose off the surface instead.

June – Clean & Maintain

Air Conditioning A properly maintained air conditioning system will run more efficiently, use less energy and lower your utility bills. For window air conditioning units, clean the filter and coils. You can also help to maintain your system by replacing your air conditioner filters regularly; this will cut down significantly on dust and allergens in the home. Also, clean the condenser and evaporator coil in the unit.

Look out for the July – December Projects in our upcoming posts!