You’ve got your eye on a home. The property is priced right. The house fits all of your needs and and you can check most of your “must-have” boxes. But is there something you don’t know—something that might make living on this particular block less than ideal? Or, even worse, something that could negatively affect the resale value of the property later?
Given the high stakes of home ownership, it pays to do your homework before you agree to buy. For example, I had a client who was ready to sign on the dotted line for a home in San Francisco, a city famous for its microclimates. The client had only been to the block where the home was located during the day, on some of the best weather days of the year. I suggested he go at night. Sure enough: Turns out this particular block gets super windy and cold once the sun goes down—a deal killer for this particular client.
If you find a house you like, consider the block very seriously. Unlike a condominium or Planned Unit Development (PUD), where you have the opportunity to review the Homeowner’s Association Meeting Minutes to find out about the building, you don't always have that opportunity with a single-family home.
There are things that don’t become obvious until you are a full-timer. But, there are some pretty basic ways to flesh out as much as possible about the neighborhood before you close the escrow.
Here are five tips for investigating the block and the neighborhood that you’re planning to call home.
1. Chat up the neighbors.
Without being intrusive, make it a point to talk to your potential neighbors. What is their opinion of the block and the neighborhood? Do they know of any problem neighbors? There might be someone on the block who regularly plucks away drunkenly on an amplified guitar in his garage after midnight, for instance. Also, do they know of any recent car or home break-ins? How’s the weather on this block? Is anyone planning a big remodel that would impact other homes or their values? Do they know of someone else on the block who might be getting ready to sell? It could be that an even more desirable home will be coming on the market shortly.
2. Visit at all times of the day.
As my client story illustrates, don’t just visit the property during the day. Check it out at night, to get a sense of the weather and the noise. Go by on the weekend, as well as early in the morning. The more times of day you go, the more opportunities you have to come face-toface with more neighbors, different routines of the block and particular idiosyncrasies.
3. Check out the neighborhood newspaper or search for the neighborhood blog.
Hard to believe in this era, but some neighborhoods still have their own newspapers. If there’s one published for the neighborhood you’re considering, cruise through it for local stories. Pay particular attention to the ‘police blotter,’ which typically lists crimes reported in the area. A lot of neighborhoods have blogs where neighbors ask for tips, advice or post issues or concerns that affect the neighborhood. Snoop around here to see what comes up.
4. Get an app.
Some smartphone apps, such as CrimeReports for the iPhone, will give you information about crime based on your location or address. Among the crimes you can see displayed on a map are noise nuisances, sex offenders, and robberies from vehicles. The CrimeReports app gives you some specifics, such as when and where the incident occurred. Zillow’s apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile allow you to see estimates of properties on the block. It also allows you to search recent sales or rentals, a good indication of whether your neighbors are renters or homeowners.
5. Google the street address.
Type in the street address into Google. You might be amazed at what you find; a home-based business with employees (which could reduce street parking spaces) or even worse, a neighbor may be operating a day care center out of their home.
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