Choosing a neighborhood
Morris Digital Works Wire Service

When you buy a home, you also buy part of a neighborhood.

If the property value of houses in the neighborhood are falling or stagnant, a lower offer may be in order. Conversely, if the value of homes in the area are skyrocketing, then it may be worth spending a little more. Below are some things to consider when looking at a neighborhood.

Neighborhoods have personalities, find out what each one is. Ask some of the people in the neighborhood what they think of it. Ask how they perceive crime, the schools, pollution, noise and traffic. Human input is always better than reports. (Plus you'll learn a little about your potential neighbors.)

Drive through the neighborhood. A good way to check out a neighborhood is to simply drive around it. Find out what people do, and what there is to do. Get a first hand look at traffic and the stores you will have close to you. See what the area's schools look like. The condition of the schools and roads will tell you a lot about the area.

Find out the crime report for the area. Start at the local police department and ask them for any statistics they can provide. Check for graffiti and vandalism.

Schools
Families with kids often pick a school district before they choose a house. For local school information, click here.

Location
How long will it take you to get to work? A long commute may not save you money or time. Also, are there any parks around? How easy is it to get to the interstate? What do the other houses look like?

Property Values
It's a good idea to research recent selling prices for houses in the neighborhood and how much houses have increased in value in the past 10 years. Ask how much property taxes have increased.

Utilities
Find out utility costs. Find out if cable and Internet access are available to the house. For numbers to Harvey County utility companies, click here.

Future Development
Look for new construction in the neighborhood. Area growth can raise property values. It can also raise taxes and traffic congestion.