Welcome to the third post in a series of 7 posts covering the more important issues about buying a home in Northern Nevada.

In the first post, we covered the topics “Why Should I Own A Home?” and “Why Should I Use a REALTOR®?”. In the second post, we covered “Real Estate Commissions Explained” and “7 Steps to Prepare for Home Ownership”.

Whether you’ve owned a Northern Nevada home before, or you are a first time Northern Nevada home buyer, having a Buyer’s Guide can be a very helpful tool before, during, and even after the homebuying process.

Since most people don’t buy and sell homes every month, let alone every year, we have put together a fantastic 36-page Northern Nevada “Just For Buyers” Guide.

In this post, we’ll be covering “Your New Northern Nevada Home Wish List” and “Tips to Finding the Perfect Neighborhood”.

Your New Northern Nevada Home Wish List

While opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the home buying process, use this easy checklist to help you prioritize and make the shopping process less time consuming.

How close do you need to be to:

• Public transportation

• Schools

• Airports

• Freeways

• Neighborhood shopping

• Recreational pursuits

• Other?______________________________________________

Other questions to Consider:

• What neighborhoods would you prefer?

• What are your future plans? (Growing the size of your family, kids moving out?)

• What school systems do you want to be near?

• What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?

• Do you want a one-story or a two-story house?

• How old a home would you consider?

• How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?

• Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet?

• Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets?

Tips for Finding the Perfect Northern Nevada Neighborhood

The Northern Nevada neighborhood you choose can have a big impact on your lifestyle – safety, available amenities, and convenience all play their part.

1. Make a list of each of your Northern Nevada activities – your commute to work, health club, church – you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.
2. Want to know more about the school district? The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.
3. Have questions about crime? Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type – burglaries, armed robberies – and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?
4. Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses that have been for sale for months?
5. See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with the people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are there children to play with your family? Visit the neighborhood at different times – daytime during the week, at night during the week, on weekends in the evenings, and at other times.

In the fourth post in this series, we’ll discuss your “Get Your Finances In Order” and “Think Like a Lender: Let’s Do The Math”. If you’d like a FREE copy of our complete 36 page Northern Nevada “Just for Buyers Guide” just let us know. We’re happy to provide you with one to assist you on your road to home ownership.