The neighborhood you chose can have a big impact on your lifestyle and safety - the available amenities and convenience all play their part.
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Make a list of the activities such as movies, health clubs, church, etc. that you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engage in your most common activities.
Check out the school district. The Department of Education provides information in their School & District Data section. If you have school-age children, also considering 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. You can also check out the SchoolHouse Magazine website.
If you are concerned about the environment and pollution, you can visit the Scorecard website and see how the area ranks and compares to others.
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? Here are several other sources from the State of Minnesota: Minnesota Uniform Crime Reports, Community Supervison of Sex Offenders, and the Safe at Home Report.
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 do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months? Or visit the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic development website and check the Local Area Unemployment Statistics, visit their MnPro site to see commercial and other information on individual communities.
Many cities, townships, and counties have Planning and Charter Commissions like Lino Lake's Home Rule Charter Commission or the City of Blaine Planning Commission. These can be treasure troves of information. You may even be able to view planning commission and city council meetings on local cable access channels where you can learn more about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood, like a new school or highway, that might affect the value of a home in the future.
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.
It is a great time to involved in real estate! For more information about my services, guarantees, or how I can help you find your next home, sell your home, buy a business or investment property. Just call me today at 763-548-1418!
To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings, select the banner below:
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Patti Ann Kasper, Your Lino Lakes and North Metro Twin Cities Real Estate Expert!
© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2008 All Right Reserved.
Associates of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems and Cartography
from Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
Licensed in Minnesota
Equal Housing Opportunity
For more information about my services, guarantees, or how I can help you
find your next home, sell your home, buy a business or investment property.
Just call Patti Ann Kasper today at 763-548-1418!
To view my interactive on-line real estate magazine with listings of homes for sale
in the Minneapolis Saint Paul Twin Cities Metro Area, select the banner below:
Patti Ann Kasper, Your Minnesota, North Metro Minneapolis / Saint Paul Twin Cities, and Blaine MN Real Estate Expert! Associates of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems and Cartography from Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
© Copyright Patti Ann Kasper 2009 All Right Reserved
