Buying a single-family home is about more than just investing in the home; it's about investing in the neighborhood as well. You want a home that works well for your family in a safe and clean neighborhood for more reasons than just peace of mind. A nice home in a poor neighborhood may not raise in value as much as a nice house in an equally nice neighborhood will, so it's very important that you give the neighboring homes as much consideration when buying single-family homes as the home you want itself.
Here are things you should look for in the neighborhoods of single-family homes for sale. Your agent will assist you in choosing the best home for your needs and can help answer questions you have about immediate nearby houses in any area you're looking at.
Well-kept yards
Unless you're buying a house in a subdivision with an HOA, the homes that surround any single-family homes for sale in your area are kept up by their current owners at their discretion. You want to pick a neighborhood where the people who live there take pride in their properties so that your home doesn't stand out one way or another. Look at neighbors of single-family homes you're considering and ensure that garbage is kept in garbage cans, pet areas and fenced-in yards are kept clean and free of weeds, lawns are mowed, and any equipment and vehicles are kept organized.
Quiet activity
While it is expected that there will be pets outside and children playing about in any neighborhood street, what you're looking for in the neighboring properties of any single-family homes for sale you are considering is this: overall quiet activity. It's best to visit these properties in the evening with your agent to see what the homes are really like, such as pets being left outside to bark into the evening, people playing loud music from garages or homes, and neighbors entertaining into the night.
Low traffic
Any neighborhood you're considering with single-family homes for sale should have relatively low traffic at all times of the day. Low traffic means safer and quieter streets for you and your family. Your real estate agent can help in this endeavor by showing you homes that are in dead-end areas or a few streets off from more busier roads to help you achieve a low-traffic area to call your next home.