How to Find a House Location

When you decide to move, finding just the right house location is a difficult process. There are so many different factors to consider, including the size and age of your family and your commute to work. Buying a house can be both exciting and intimidating, but by following the steps below, you can make the right decision.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Consider your commute. When you're searching for a new home, factor in your commuting time. This will help you decide on a city or town that puts you within a reasonable distance of your place of employment.
2. Offer your kids, if any, a great education by enrolling them in the best school system you can afford. This means choosing an excellent district that offers homes within your commuting parameters and that stays within your budget.
3. Scout out the neighborhoods. Take a drive around town to familiarize yourself with the different neighborhoods so that you can see which ones exhibit a pride of ownership. In addition, keep an eye out for the locations that show future development, potential or restoration.
4. Assess the property value. Once you've chosen the neighborhood and found a house on that street you're interested in, check it's value against the other homes on the street. Buy the house if it's similar in size, renovations and price, being careful not to buy the most expensive or most improved home.
5. Look at the street. Even if you don't have children who require a quiet road or even a cul-de-sac, if the house is located on a busy road, your resale value will instantly plummet. Noise and traffic tends to turn home-buyers off, so when you want to move again, you might find yourself having trouble selling.
6. Research the crime rate. Once you've chosen the town, the neighborhood and the house, check out the local library for the crime statistics. If you do have children, make sure the neighborhood is free from sex offenders under Megan's Law.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you don't have children to consider, it's a good idea to find a house in a good school district. When it's time to sell, you'll have a wider selection of potential home buyers.
• When looking at the neighborhood, avoid taking a house surrounded by apartments, condos or industrial buildings.
• In addition to steering clear of busy roads, find out if the house is located on a connecting street that's used frequently for short cuts.