Location, Location, Location. When it comes to buying a property, one of the most critical factors to consider is the neighborhood in which it is situated. “Choosing the wrong neighborhood can have a significant impact on your quality of life, property value and overall satisfaction with your investment,” says Jacquelynn Rossiter, one of the Principals of The Zolan Rossiter Team at Compass.
Buyers should spend time researching the areas in which they are considering purchasing. Here are some of the team’s suggestions to their buyers.
- Take a day or two to explore the shops, parks, transportation options and locations of hair salons, doctors’ offices and other essential establishments
- Enjoy a meal in a restaurant to get a sense of the local vibe
- Ask friends if they have other friends already living in the area and ask to speak to them
Families with children may want to ensure that the neighborhood offers a range of kid-friendly shops and amenities.
- Look for communities with local toy stores, children’s clothing stores and other shops catering to the needs of families
- Seek out nearby recreational centers, libraries and community centers
- Find after school and rainy day activity spots
The availability of parks and outdoor spaces is often vital for people. Research and visit nearby parks, playgrounds and green spaces.
For families with school-aged children, the quality of local schools is a crucial consideration.
- Check into the reputation, academic performance and extracurricular opportunities of the schools in the neighborhood
- Visit online resources, school district websites and schedule walkthroughs of schools in person
- As your real estate agent cannot comment on a school’s reputation, The Zolan Rossiter Team directs their buyers to insideschools.com to get information on the school’s curriculum, programs and teachers
Safety is usually a consideration when selecting a neighborhood.
- Seek out information about the area’s crime rates, via the local police precinct website
- Look into street lighting, neighborhood watch programs and the general upkeep of the area
- Debbie Zolan, the other Principal of The Zolan Rossiter Team, always suggests that her buyers visit the property they are considering morning, noon and night and travel to/from your job, school pick-ups and evenings out to see how THEY feel. Take different routes and streets to get home. What makes one person feel comfortable and safe may not be the same for someone else
Choosing the wrong neighborhood can have lasting implications for your family’s well-being and satisfaction with your home purchase. Remember, investing time in research now can save you from potential regrets in the future.
Jacquelynn and Debbie are the Principals of The Zolan Rossiter Team at Compass. With over 35 years of experience working with buyers (and sellers), a 93% referral rate, $450 million in career sales volume, they were recently ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.6 million agents nationwide. The team loves the following spots in their neighborhoods: Usagi and Al Mar in DUMBO and Dino and Prema Yoga in Fort Greene. And since everyone loves chocolate, BBP readers can enjoy 15% off at any Jacques Torres store or online shop. Please use code “tzrteam15” at mrchocolate.com or present in-store. Valid through October 15, 2023.
