# How to Choose a Good Neighborhood When Looking Up Homes For Sale?


It’s easy to find yourself stuck in, looking for a home that checks off everything on your wish list; but real estate experts say it pays, to pay close attention to the neighborhood. In the end, a house can be updated and fixed, but it is impossible to change its location and the vibe of the community — or your neighbors.

When choosing a good neighborhood, it comes down to one thing: research. And plenty of it. Your real estate agent will be a good resource for pointing out essential amenities and becoming informed of things like homeowners’ association rules. However, you can’t depend on them for certain kinds of specific information.

Still wondering how to search out **[homes for sale by neighborhood](https://homesanytime.com/homes-for-sale-by-neighborhood-jacksonville-fl/)**. Here are other factors to take into account-

### Safety
For almost all homebuyers, safety is paramount when selecting a good neighborhood. A locale with a low crime rate is not only safer but can also ensure keeping property values afloat in the coming years.

### How to check?
Local law-enforcement agencies usually track crime statistics, so that’s a good place to begin. You may also browse websites such as CrimeReports and SpotCrime; and you might also run the address on the National Sex Offender Registry to verify whether there are sex offenders living in the area. Apart from that, drive past the property at different times of day and night to look over traffic and noise.

### School district
Doesn’t matter whether you have children or not, buying a house in a locale with good schools can be a savvy investment, because future [buyers](https://homesanytime.com/) would have children. Schools go a long way in determining the resale value of a home. Regardless of the schools aren’t A-rated or B-rated, you should know that going in when you are searching up homes for sale by neighborhood.

Many schools have had a rough time during the pandemic, with test scores dropping significantly. Apart from ratings, you may want to check up on your school district’s ability to adapt to remote learning; and how effectively it has responded to the pandemic.

### How to check?
Visit the local school district’s website and download the report cards of neighboring schools. These might encompass information about the school’s demographics, test scores and graduation rates. Also check out another resource: GreatSchools, a nonprofit site that lets you compare data between schools and read reviews given by parents.

### Lifestyle
A couple starting a family would like to have different amenities in their ideal neighborhood compared to empty nesters looking for a slower pace of life. Watch out for facilities like parks, open spaces, trails, proximity to shopping, dining and local attractions. If the community you have chosen to buy in has a [homeowners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate)’ association, or HOA, determine what amenities are included in your dues, like a pool, clubhouse or gym.

### The Bottom Line
A dream home is great, but the neighborhood of your dreams is no less important — maybe more. You can learn much about a neighborhood on the internet, from the weather to the walking distance to your local Starbucks.