Choosing a Home in Your "Right Community"

If you are looking to buy real estate, one of the first things your real estate professional will do before taking you on home tours is determine with you what type of house you want.

Example:  A 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, split-level with a formal dining room and two-car garage.

But just as important as the type of real estate is the type of community. Knowing your preferences will narrow your home search and save time. Remember, in every commuting area there might be four or five different towns, each with their own characteristics, especially in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

To expedite the home-hunting process, start by making a list of dream home factors that are most important to you and your family's lifestyle.

Consider: Style, location, proximity to work and schools, yard size, children in the community, and of course, price.

What type of community appeals to you?

In Town	Suburban	Rural	Waterfront

The key factors you'll use to identify your "right communities" are generally price and location. If you are moving within the same city, you may want to start your community search by getting in your car and exploring. Be sure to check the community section on www.verani.com.

Whether you have children or not, buying a home in a community with good schools is important. It not only adds value to your property, but also is an attractive feature if you decide to sell. There are plenty of resources available to get information about schools within the communities you are considering.

Look on any home for sale on www.verani.com and click the icon for a free school report. These reports provide statistical data such as graduation rates, college-bound percentages, and standardized test scores. You can also learn about special programs the schools offer. In addition to these reports, many schools have their own Web sites you can peruse. And of course you can always talk to people in the area or take a tour of the school.

Additional factors you'll want to consider during your community search are crime rates, proximate recreational activities, shopping, restaurants, and any specific family needs. Again, you can check out these facts directly on www.verani.com.

Once you've narrowed your search to two or three communities that fit your price range and lifestyle, make comparisons of price and sales activity. Your agent can help you determine which communities are most sales-worthy at present, and which are more likely to continue to be.

Discuss your options with a Prudential Verani Realty real estate professional. This will provide him or her with information they need to help you find property listings to tour. Remember, a targeted approach to house hunting is most efficient.