Check Out Neighborhood Before Buying a Home

By Nancy Minor

Peachtree Corners is the perfect place to call home.  It offers a home for almost every lifestyle. When you make the decision to make a move, you will most likely start with the criteria that would make that home perfect for you.

That is where most people start and it makes sense. However misery will be your friend if you have a home that you love in the middle of a neighborhood you hate. 

Where your home is located is just as important as how many bedrooms it has. If you do your homework, and hire an agent who knows the neighborhood or is willing to learn about the neighborhood, you can prevent future heartache.

Explore the neighborhood!  Are you looking for a community with children the same age as your children? Drive through the neighborhood on days the school bus picks up and drops children off. 

Are you hoping to meet running or cycling friends? Drive through on Saturday morning. If this is a swim tennis community visit the pool and tennis courts. Pay attention to the condition. Poor condition could reflect an inactive or indifferent homeowners association. Pay attention to entryways and how they are maintained. Pride of ownership is reflected here.

If an active child friendly community is important to you, ask your agent to find a newsletter or a calendar of events that shows activity in the neighborhood. I would also ask people out walking and people you see with babies why they moved into this neighborhood and how it works for their children. If you are buying in a good school district then you will most likely have child friendly neighborhoods in the area.

Some people want adult communities and adult activities. You can also learn from their newsletter and from adults our walking. If you are active and love walking, sidewalks will create a walking environment. Look for sidewalks and also look for runners and walkers.

Crime rate and safety are basic to your enjoyment of your new home. Here are tips to find out about crime rate and safety.

• Look to see if there is any graffiti in the area
• Talk to the police or sheriff's department.
• Look to see if there are bars on the windows
• Call a local insurance agent and talk to them about where you are looking.

     There are websites that provide information on crime rate in a community.

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/  and mylocalcrime.com are two of them.  

It is also your responsibility to learn about sex predators  in the community. This site will provide information on the neighborhood where you are buying.   http://www.georgia-sex-offenders.com.

For additional information about homes in Peachtree Corners contact Nancy Minor at 404-955-7653 or nancy@minor.net. See more Peachtree Corners homes at PeachtreeCorners.com

New on the market in The City of Peachtree Corners.

4983 Bridgeport Lane