There are many things you can change about a home. Need more space? Is the kitchen outdated? Does the place “need work?” These can all be fixed with a renovation. One thing you can’t change, is the location. That’s why it’s so important to do your research and choose a location that not only fits your needs now, but in the future as well. In this article, we’ll guide you through five steps to help you choose the best location to buy a home.
Choosing the Best Location to Buy a Home
When shopping for a home, it can be easy to get blinded by the dazzle of a home’s features, like a brand-new kitchen or the pool in the backyard. However, it is critical to take time to think about where you would like to live, before you can dive deeper into the type of home you would like to live in.
According to a new survey by REMAX Canada, four in five Canadians said they would recommend their neighbourhood as a great place to live. That tells us that this is on Canadians’ radar, and they’ve done their research.
Furthermore, three-quarters of Canadians said they have made compromises to live where they do—highlighting an important reality that, sometimes, compromises have to be made to attain some of the must-haves on your list or criteria. With that said, 57 per cent of Canadians said despite their compromises, they love their neighbourhoods and agree that their lifestyle aligns with the neighbourhood they live in.
Let’s explore some lifestyle factors and how they may influence your choice of location.
Step 1: Urban versus Suburban
There are pros and cons to living in both, but one important factor is the cost of living in each location. If you prefer to live in the city, look at all your options to see what your budget will get you in the city, versus what it will get you in the suburbs. After weighing both options, the question remains, urban or suburban?
Step 2: Explore the Neighbourhood
Depending on if you are a young professional, are raising a young family, or are downsizing, you are likely looking for a likeminded community and neighbourhood where you will fit in. While conducting online research is a great place to start, nothing is better than first hand experience. These tips will help you choose the perfect neighbourhood.
Step 3: Research Proximity to Work and School
Commute times have gotten longer in Canada’s biggest cities, and the time spent getting to and from work is a deciding factor for many, when choosing where to work. Well, the same applies when choosing where to live. When choosing the best neighbourhood to buy a home, take some time to research the proximity to work, schools and other places you frequent on a regular basis. With that being said, jobs can come and go for a variety of reasons, so while the location of your workplace should factor into your decision on the best neighbourhood to buy a home, it shouldn’t be the only factor.
Step 4: Think About Family & Friends
Finding the right location means considering the distance to family and friends, and how long it will take you to get to them. If a change in location will mean you are further away from the people closest to you, you should consider if it is still the right option for you.
Step 5: Look Into Crime Rates
One of the main reasons your house feels like home is because as soon as you walk through the door, you feel safe. Getting a good understanding of what happens in the neighbourhood you are considering moving to can easily be done by conducting research on the crime rates in that area, compared to the other areas you are considering.
Although you may just be starting your home search, researching locations is one of the most important first steps. Your REMAX agent is a great resource for information on the many neighbourhoods within your city. Once you’ve decided on a general area, you can zero in and start the search for your new home!
Source: https://blog.remax.ca/choosing-best-neighbourhood-to-buy-a-home/