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June
12
12
How to Know If You'll Love a Neighborhood
Are you worried about moving to a new neighborhood? Sometimes it's about more than just checking property values, crime statistics, and commute times. You want to know if you're genuinely going to enjoy living there, and numbers just don't give you the entire picture. As you're browsing our listings for Augusta homes for sale, be sure to follow these tips to get an idea of what daily life is like in these neighborhoods.
- Make a List and Check it Twice
Before you know whether you'll be happy in a specific neighborhood, it's important to figure out what you want. Once you have a list of your priorities, you'll have a better idea of whether a neighborhood meets your needs.
This is about more than just crime statistics, though. Do you want to be able to walk to restaurants, shops, the grocery store, or have public transit easily accessible? Are relationships with your neighbors and an active community important to you? Go beyond the numbers and think about the things that you've liked about other neighborhoods that you've lived in, and what you would have wanted to be different. - Do a Little Online Research (But Not Too Much)
The Internet is a powerful resource for finding out a great many things about a new neighborhood. You can view maps, check school rankings and crime statistics, map out your commute and look at what businesses are nearby, even get a virtual tour of the neighborhood using Google's Street View. Just remember that while online research is a great way to start your search, you should do a little more digging before making any big decisions. - Visit the Neighborhood ... A Lot
If a neighborhood meets your basic requirements, it's time to get to know it a little better. The best way to do that, of course, is by actually visiting the neighborhood, and we don't just mean when you do the rounds with your agent. While our real estate agents are experienced with Augusta neighborhoods and can help guide your search, it also helps to get a feel for a neighborhood yourself. Try to drive (or better yet, walk) through it at different times: during the workday, after the local schools let out, in the evenings, and on the weekends. - Talk to the Neighbors
Taking a walk through the neighborhood is useful not just because it'll give you a feel for the character of the neighborhood, but also because it'll give you an opportunity to strike up conversations with the people who live there. Try to pick times when residents will be out and about, such as after school, in the evenings, and on the weekends.
If you find someone willing to chat with you, let them know you're considering moving to the neighborhood, and ask them questions such as what they like best, and what they wish were different. - Check Out the Local Schools
Buyers without children often disregard the advice to check out the local schools, but this can actually tell you a lot, even if you don't have kids. Look up the schools online, but also be sure to drive or walk by them. Are they well maintained, or run down? How the schools look can tell you a lot about the overall character of the neighborhood. - The Importance of an Experienced Agent
Don't forget about the value of having an experienced real estate agent on your side to help guide your search. An agent who specializes in Augusta's neighborhoods can help you determine where will be the right fit for you. Contact us at Sprague & Curtis Real Estate today to start your search!