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Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

by Carol or Jim Chamberlain

The 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 the activities—movies, 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. Check out 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. Find out if the neighborhood is safe. 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 or homes that have been for sale for months?

5. See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR or call the local REALTOR association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR or the  government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.

6. 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 people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

Buyers Budget Basics Work Sheet

by Carol or Jim Chamberlain
         
The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know what you make and

what you spend now. List your income and expenses below.

 

Income
Take-Home Pay/All Family  
Members  
Child Support/Alimony  
Pension/Social Security  
Disability/Other Insurance  
Interest/Dividends  
Other  
Total Income  
Expenses  
Rent/Mortgage  
Life Insurance  
Health/Disability Insurance  
Vehicle Insurance  
Homeowners or Other Insurance  
Car Payments  
Other Loan Payments  
Savings/Pension Contribution  
Utilities  
Credit Card Payments  
Car Upkeep  
Clothing  
Personal Care Products  
Groceries  
Food Prepared Outside the Home  
Medical/Dental/Prescriptions  
Household Goods  
Recreation/Entertainment  
Child Care  
Education  
Charitable Donations  
Miscellaneous  
Total Expenses=  
Remaining Income After Expenses=  

 

 

 

 

       
               

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Contact Information

Photo of Carol and Jim   Real Estate
Carol and Jim
Preferred Home Brokers
3230 E Imperial Hwy, Ste 125
Brea CA 92821
714-726-3144
714-726-3144

Carol & Jim Chamberlain 714-726-3166 or 714-726-3144                  "Yes, We Can Be In Two Places At Once!"                                              BRE Lic Numbers: 00912962, 01015143