Research Before You Buy! Enter in a Zip Code for Crime Rates, School Rates, Statistics, Weather, Home Values and More!

One very important tip I can offer is to research the area BEFORE you buy!

Read below for important research tricks and then click HERE to enter a zip code to get started on your inside research!

Be sure your research includes these important criteria:

Crime rates

Research the crime rates of your area first and take time to talk to the neighbors and others in your community. You can enter in different neighborhoods and zip codes and research crime rates.

National Sex Offender Database

The police will be able to provide information about registered sex offenders living nearby. 

Noise and traffic

Your home search may not span months, so that you can learn about summertime vs. wintertime noise. But you should plan to visit the neighborhood at all times of the day and night. Check out traffic patterns during rush hour. Are some streets more dangerous because of this traffic? What’s the neighborhood like at midnight on a Saturday? Is there a church nearby that eats up all the Sunday morning parking? Are you so close to the airport that you hear the roar of planes?

Talk to multiple neighbors: Does the neighboring park host festivals that might create parking and noise issues? Ask when they think the neighborhood is at its wildest and, if at all possible, make a visit at that time.

Schools

You don’t have children, so why should neighborhood schools matter? Two main reasons: You may have children in the future, and good schools ensure consistent demand for properties — and higher resale prices. 

Public services

When you drive through a potential neighborhood, do you see signs that the city is having financial trouble? Are streets clean and well maintained? Are parks clean? Are there sidewalks? Is public transportation available nearby? Where are the nearest police and fire stations? Have libraries been shuttered? Declining property tax rolls have forced many towns to cut back on public services. Are you comfortable with the level of services available in this neighborhood?

An outdated kitchen or bath can always be remodeled, but neighborhoods are more difficult to change. Do your homework so you end up buying a home in a location that’s right for you and your family.

Need a one stop shop for all of these different aspects of buying? Click HERE to enter in a zip code and get started in your research!