3 Big Mistakes People Make When Choosing Their New Neighborhood

by carolinaone_marketing 8. September 2014 10:40

What made you choose the neighborhood you're in right now? Did you like how close it was to your job, or was it close to a major transportation hub? Were you drawn in by how many families live on the block, or did you love how many young professionals and hip 20-somethings lived in the area? We all have different reasons for why we chose where we live today, but some of them may not have been good ones. Some people claim that their neighborhood just "felt right," but choosing your next living location based on how you feel isn't very smart. If you're looking for houses for rent in Charleston, SC or in the greater Charleston area, don't make these mistakes.

 

Ignoring unpleasant facts for a few positives

You have found a house that you are absolutely in love with. It's everything you've ever dreamed of and it's close to your friends, but there are a few small things. The neighborhood has a slightly high crime rate, traffic can be a nightmare, but you are just so in love with the house! Don't make the mistake of ignoring some of those glaring problems. Eventually the newness and novelty of your new home will wear off, and those "minor" problems will start to seem much bigger.

Making assumptions from word of mouth

You may have heard that a certain neighborhood has very low crime rates, or that it has the best school district in the country. You've read article after article about how great the nightlife is, and how low the town's taxes are. Too many people make the mistake of basing their decision off of a positive write-up in a travel magazine or a few positive anecdotes from friends. However, until you see definitive proof of any of the "positive" aspects of your new neighborhood, don't assume that all of this hearsay is true. Check out educational statistics and scores, tax rates, and crime rates from reliable government websites.

Not learning about the neighbors

Your neighbors may not seem like that major of a factor when you start to pick out your home. After all, it's not like you have to live with them or spend time with them. Ignoring the people you'll have to live near and talk to is a huge mistake, though. Obnoxious or inconsiderate neighbors have caused people to move in the past, and they could make your new home seem unlivable. If you want to get an idea of what your neighbors are like, just walk or drive around the area a few times and talk to a few people about the neighborhood. When you look through the eyes of a casual observer and not a homebuyer, you'll have a much better idea of what your neighbors will be like. 

Tags:

Charleston Real Estate

TextBox