Determine what is important to you when purchasing a home. Is the surrounding community important to you? Or perhaps you aren’t planning on staying very long and future growth or potential profit is more important to you.
Here are some suggestions of how you can evaluate a neighbourhood.

Property Values
Consider the value of the surrounding properties. Generally it is a good idea to buy the least expensive home in the best neighborhood you can afford.  Research if the home values in the area are steady or increasing, if so it generally means it is a good investment.

Drive Around the Area
Does it look like a place you’d like to live?
What will your commuting time be like?
What is the neighbourhood like at night?
Are amenities such as shopping centres near by?
What are the demographics of the neighbourhood? Are there many families with children, singles or older couples?


Research the Surrounding Schools
What is the school performance rating?
Is there a strong sense of parent involvement?
Are after school activities and teams offered?


Education/Income Profile
What is the average household income in the area?
What is the average education level or occupation in the area?


Future Growth
Will there be construction in your neighbourhood? This could be disruptive or affect a quick resale.
Is your home of interest located in an area with higher end properties or is it the most expensive in the area?

House hunting begins at home... with planning. Before you grab the road maps and hit the streets with Newmarket Royal LePage REALTOR®, Natalie Bonnell, you need to know how much house you can afford to buy. Knowing your affordable price range will bring your house hunting into focus. The amount you can afford depends on a number of factors. Most importantly, consider your gross household income, your down payment amount, and the mortgage interest rate.