Househunting 101: How to choose the perfect neighborhood for you

You've probably spent hours hashing out your dream-home wish list. You know how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want, and you have a good idea about what you want as far as flooring, kitchen space and a backyard goes. Before you start shopping, the perfect house exists in the vacuum of your imagination, but it's time to hang your aspirations in the real world and select some possible neighborhoods.

Distance: Dining, Doing and Driving.

According to NeighborhoodScout.com creator Andrew Schiller, the most important factor in area real estate prices is employment opportunity. Locations near work are in general demand, and commute time should be a consideration for your family. Use Google maps to clock the drive, but also check the neighborhood for other amenities. Look into how far will you need to drive or walk to:

1. Dine in an enjoyable restaurant.
2. Visit a park or greenway.
3. Shop.
4. Get groceries.
5. See a doctor or dentist.

It's unlikely you'll find a neighborhood that caters to every personal need. Make a list of places or services you frequent and prioritize them with the most frequently visited places first. Look for neighborhoods that offer easy access to items at the top of your list. Also, pay attention to the location of schools and hospitals.

Money Matters: Making and Maintaining.

Knowing your budget helps you pare down neighborhood options. An experienced real estate agent can tell you about neighborhoods that offer houses in your price range, but you should also consider other money matters. Families who know they'll be in the home for a short term—from five to 10 years—can help increase the chance of profit when they sell through careful neighborhood selection. According to Homes.org, parks, traffic, nearby colleges and natural elements increase the value of a neighborhood. A strong school system, low crime rate, and unique history can also keep real estate values high.

Don't forget to consider the maintenance costs associated with a home. Some neighborhoods charge homeowner's associate fees, so ask your realtor about local organizations. Talk to people in the neighborhood about maintenance expenses like pest control, weathering and storm recovery. Wooded areas may come with animal challenges, while coastal areas come with flood risks. Compare home insurance quotes for different areas so you aren't in for post-closing surprises.

Social: Schools, Safety, and Scuttlebutt.

Compare the educational options for different neighborhoods. Are your top choices serviced by different school districts? Does one area offer a strong arts or sports program that's important to your family? To gather details about school programs, check local government websites for links to school pages and read recent newsletters, check curriculum lists and review event calendars. Also, visit greatschools.org to read parent reviews.

Safety's important to everyone, so compare crime rates for potential neighborhoods. You can use CrimeMapping.com or MyNeighborhoodUpdate.net to view area crime reports on a map. For more detailed comparisons of crimes, schools and other stats, you can subscribe to NeighborhoodScout.com for access to a number of reports.

Nothing beats word-of-mouth research, so don't be afraid to get out-and-about in potential neighborhoods. Instead of knocking on doors and interrupting other homeowners, consider attending garage sales or community fundraising events. At a laidback event, people are more likely to spend time providing information to a potential homeowner. You'll also get a good look at the type of people in the neighborhood and how they interact with each other.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Lauren Johnson), Google (images).