5 Need-To-Knows Before You Move Into A Neighborhood



703 Alder Circle
3 Bdrm, 2.5 Bath, Virginia Beach
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 Buying a home can feel like the most intense research project

ever. From mortgages, to contracts, to property condition

issues, there’s a lot to look at. An additional area you’ll

definitely want to investigate in detail: your new neighborhood.

Here are five items you definitely need to know.

1. Details on Shady Dealings

Before you buy a home or move into a neighborhood do the research and check out things like Megan’s Law databases to

see where registered sex offenders live. And be sure to tap into

Trulia’s Crime Maps to see detailed (and sometimes surprising!),

uber-­relevant crime data.

2. How Recession-­Resistant It Is

Let’s face facts: some locations have fared better than others over the course of the recession. And some of

the hardest hit neighborhoods are where the best deals are to be found. But know that the harder hit areas

might take longer to see an uptick in home values, so you may want to stay put longer before you sell.

3. The Neighborhood’s Flavor
Is the area you’re considering a hot spot for outdoor adventures and family events at the park, or fancy restaurants and wine tastings at the museum? Find out by pulling up listings on Trulia and seeing what the folks who live there have to say.

4. Neighborhood Hot Spots

Before you buy or move into an area, equip yourself with a knowledge of where all the stores, farmer’s markets, parks, restaurants and other hot spots your family will want to use are located vis-­a-­vis your home-­to-­be. Your real estate agent can be a fabulous source for this kind of info, and check your Trulia mobile app to see any nearby haunts with Yelp! reviews.

5. The Vibe at Different Times of Day or Week

Have you ever visited a home on a Sunday afternoon when the sun was shining, birds were singing and kids were playing nearby? Then, you come back a couple

of weeks later at dusk to see graffiti, or hear neighbor’s music blaring? The nature of a neighborhood can change at different times of the day and week, so check it out. And don’t be afraid to knock on neighbors’ doors, and see what insider info

they can share.

Content Provide by Trulia.com 2011