How to choose the right neighborhood

When on the hunt for a new home, one of the toughest questions you might be asking yourself is "what neighborhood is best for me?". Houston is very diverse and every neighborhood offers something different. Even shifting just a few miles down the road could completely change the lifestyle and atmosphere. Below I share a few tips on how to choose the perfect neighborhood for you and your family.

1. What does your budget look like?
Establishing a budget should be the very first thing you do when looking for a new home. Understand the costs of buying and maintaining a home and look at the full picture. If you are looking for the best investment, consider the smallest home in one of the top neighborhoods you can afford. Speaking with a lender will also help guide you in the right direction and offer guidance on what your budget should look like. If you are needing a lender to speak with, I would love to send over recommendations. 
 
2. Are schools important to you? 
Do you have kiddos at home who attend public schools? This should be one of the most important things when it comes to narrowing down your neighborhood. Houston offers wonderful school districts but just like anywhere else, there are some not so great. Maybe you don't have kids yet but plan to in the future, take this into consideration as well. Make sure to ask your trusted real estate agent what the school ratings and reviews are before making a decision on a home. Being in a great school district is also important for resale so don't rule this out just because you do not plan to have kids in the near future. 

3. What does your lifestyle look like? 
Do you like to spend time outdoors? Do you like attending concerts and events? Are you looking for a gym near your new home? Are you commuting to work everyday? Ask yourself these questions and think about how you spend your life outside of your home. Now you might be wondering, "well doesn't Houston offer everything?". The answer is yes! Houston is an excellent city to call home and offers an abundance of things to do. However, Houston is a massive city and your little community and neighborhood become very important. You could spend over an hour driving from one side of the city to the next so if being near music venues is a must, consider the distance from your potential neighborhood. 

2. What does your ideal home include? 
Make a list of what is important to you in a property. Are you wanting a large backyard for your kids to run? Do you want space between you and your neighbor? Looking for low maintenance property near the city? How big is your family? The list goes on... so ask yourself what you envision this to look like. Every area offers something different so making this list is very important. These questions will help you narrow down what area of Houston is best for you. For example, if you are wanting a little bit of land you might want to consider moving more to the outskirts of Houston like Magnolia/Montgomery area or if being near the water is important, Lake Conroe or Clear Lake might be on the top of your list. If you want a larger home for less, looking in the suburbs might be your best bet.

2. Will you be commuting for work? 
Would you like to avoid the long commute in rush hour traffic? Some people enjoy a car ride and use it as their "me time" and listen to podcasts or jam to music. However, if that's not you and a commute screams stress, considering how far your office is from your neighborhood is key. Having less of a commute could mean so many different things to you whether that is having more time in the mornings to spend with your kids, or getting home earlier to spend time on other hobbies and goals. I would recommend making the drive a few times (during rush hour) from your potential neighborhood to your office. This will really give you that piece of mind. 

There are so many wonderful communities within The Houston Area which could make this one of the toughest decisions. Do your research, spend time in the potential communities and don't make a rash decision. Lean on me as your trusted real estate agent. I will be able to answer any questions you have and provide insight to help you narrow down your options. 

Let me know if you have any lingering questions.

Questions?