How to Analyze a Neighborhood Before You Buy

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Sit in the house for a couple hours, doing whatever, and LISTEN for noises - bus route, kids, renters, dogs.
Then go around and talk to the neighbors - check out how well-maintained their homes, sheds and cars are. See if they're crazy.
Go with your gut. A perfect house in a perfect neighborhood BUT with a bad neighbor is awful.

Sam of CA 3:28PM January 10, 2012

Investigate any areas where there are commercial/residential properties, because at the present the business across the street, on the side of, down the street, etc., at the time your are viewing your future home will become a nightmare. The real estate agent may not know enough about the business activities then or in the future....any fights becomes yours. I have lived in this area for 20 years. A long came a trucking business, clothes dumpsters, declaying buildings, trash, increased noise and traffic, exhaust, you name it. Dont bother contacting your officials. They favor the businesses. You think your taxes give you as the homeowner rights. Think again you have no say.....just pay. The town officials, if your're not ignored altogether, may make the businesses clean up, you wil have to become a frustrated neighborhood watch person. You will have nothing but trouble as long as you live there. So, ask questions, investigate, examine boarder lines, maps, etc. When in doubt just do a drive by.

Brena of NY 10:05AM March 29, 2011

Yes, neighborhood is VERY important. We purchased a beautiful home in a subdivision -brand new homes- near airport and major shopping areas. What we didn't consider was that we don't have pets and it now seems like every neighbor around us has a dog -or two- and the lovely view of the pond from our bedroom window now has become a horror show; neighbors leaving their dog's waste for days on their back porch, other neighborns shoveling their dogs' waste into the pond, neighbors taking their dogs for a walk and allowing them to leave their landmines on our driveway... etc. etc. etc.
The HOA doesn't do a thing about this -they refer people to the city authorities.
We actually purchased this home based on the view from the backyard and the quiet streets in front. Had I known then what I know now, I would have definetely not bought a house here. I would advise people to drive by a neighborhood in the evenings -when people walk their dogs- or weekends when everyone is home. Also, I'd never again buy a place with open backyards.

lubimac of GA 4:10AM March 13, 2011

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BUY IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE NOT IN DECLINE ,IF YOU BUILD A NICE HOME IN AN ARE WHERE NEIGHBORS ARN'T KEEPING THEIR HOMES UP AND THEIR CARS ARE LOOKING OLD DON'T BUY IN THAT AREA BECAUSE, WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY MAY SURPRISE YOU,THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA YOUR NEIGHBORS BECOME JELLOUS OR CONTENIOUS OF WHAT YOU HAVE AND THEY MAY BE DANGEROUS TO LIVE BY ,THEY MAY START DESTROYING OR STEALING FROM YOU ,IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO CHECK SCHOOLS TO ,JUST SEE HOW THE KIDS ARE BEHAVING IN SCHOOL ,IF THEY ARE NOT BEHAVING IN SCHOOL THEN YOU MAY BE IN TROUBLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOHOOD BECAUES OF KIDS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DECIPLINED THROUGH THEIR YEARS ,WHICH IS A REFLECTION ON PARENTS ,YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AS LONG AS YOU'RE THERE.

JIM of TX 10:30AM March 01, 2011

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BUY IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE NOT IN DECLINE ,IF YOU BUILD A NICE HOME IN AN ARE WHERE NEIGHBORS ARN'T KEEPING THEIR HOMES UP AND THEIR CARS ARE LOOKING OLD DON'T BUY IN THAT AREA BECAUSE, WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY MAY SURPRISE YOU,THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA YOUR NEIGHBORS BECOME JELLOUS OR CONTENIOUS OF WHAT YOU HAVE AND THEY MAY BE DANGEROUS TO LIVE BY ,THEY MAY START DESTROYING OR STEALING FROM YOU ,IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO CHECK SCHOOLS TO ,JUST SEE HOW THE KIDS ARE BEHAVING IN SCHOOL ,IF THEY ARE NOT BEHAVING IN SCHOOL THEN YOU MAY BE IN TROUBLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOHOOD BECAUES OF KIDS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DECIPLINED THROUGH THEIR YEARS ,WHICH IS A REFLECTION ON PARENTS ,YOU'LL HAVE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AS LONG AS YOU'RE THERE.

JIM of TX 10:28AM March 01, 2011

With finding the right home for you, there are so many variables that you must factor in. One word of clarity always rings so true that it seems to be a Realtors' mantra: Location, location, location.
Get to know the neighborhood that you've fallen in love with. Look at traffic patterns AND study the neighbor's homes. Are Christmas lights still up in July? Is there a free-standing basketball hoop blocking incoming traffic? How about that ice cream truck or limo that stays parked right outside your propsective neighbor's door? These are things you can't wish away. Instead, you'd be best finding an alternative neighborhood to call your happy home.

Sheila Rasak of CA 12:02PM February 01, 2011