Know Your Neighborhood when Purchasing a Home

Your home is often the largest single investment you will make. Not only is your investment monetary, but you are also investing in a quality of life for your family. Your choice determines the friends your children may choose, the schools they will attend, and the community where you will make a life. It will affect many aspects of your daily life such as commute time to your office, proximity of recreational facilities, convenience of shopping and places of worship.

Before making a decision that is life changing for your family, you should ask yourself some important questions before you invest in a home and a neighborhood.

Are you choosing an area that will appreciate in value to protect your investment?
Is your neighborhood one that will allow you to sell you home quickly should the need arise?
Are the taxes reasonable for the services you receive?
Do you want access to mass transit?
Even if you don’t have children, will the next family who considers purchasing your home find the schools of your neighborhood desirable?
Have you research the reputation and quality of the builder of your home?
The Covenants and Restrictions for each neighborhood are a road-map for exterior changes you may decide to make. Have you reviewed this document?
Proposed changes in zoning or road improvement should be researched.
Do you know the value of other homes in the neighborhood?

For school research, be sure to visit our web site, and also the Georgia Department of Education. Also, for general quality of life in the Atlanta area, you can explore the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Your Jenny Pruitt REALTOR is the best source of information to help you answer the important questions about choosing the right home. They will provide data on recent sales in the neighborhood you choose, and if serving you as a buyer’s agent, will advise you on how to structure your offer to purchase.

Enjoy your home, but remember to do your homework before you buy!