A good neighborhood makes the best houses
What is the best way for a household with children to determine if a community is right for them? Real estate consultant Barbara Corcoran shares her favorite safety barometer — look at the SAT scores of the high school(s) in the area. High test scores indicate that property values will hold steady or increase. Why? Corcoran says that smart families look specifically for neighborhoods that feature top quality schools.
If you’re in the market to buy a house, Corcoran recommends that parents scope the area in strategic fashion:
- Tour the home and the neighborhood in the morning and on evenings to catch a glimpse of potential neighbors and to observe noise levels.
- Go to the local playground or sports games to watch the interaction of children, parents, and caregivers.
- Visit the town on nights and weekends to get a real time complexion of the people who live there and their favorite hot spots.
According to Corcoran, many homebuyers focus on the property alone, paying too little attention to the people who make up the neighborhood. Unless your household is comprised of hermits, your neighbors have the unique ability to make the community feel more or less like home. Watch the full video at Forbes.
