CHOOSING A COMMUNITY
Location! Location! Location! Selecting the right community for you can be just as important as selecting the right home.
Most people who are moving ask for a home with specific features (a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms, etc.) which is located "in a good community." However, it is important to keep in mind that your idea of a "good community" may be very different from that of others and maybe even the agent who is helping you find a home.
What you need to consider is how a community will meet your lifestyle needs. One way to evaluate your lifestyle needs is to make a list of all the activities you like about your current community and those you'd like to be able to do in your new community. Also consider what you don't like about where you live now. Do you like a busy community with lots of activities? Do you like outdoor activities? Is it important to have a variety of restaurants and shopping within a certain distance? Do you like privacy and peacefulness? What community public resources do you currently use (schools, community colleges, library, day care, recreation center)? Rank these preferences in order and seek communities that satisfy most of your needs.
Do your homework in choosing a community. A really nice home in a not-so-nice neighborhood is not necessarily a good investment, but a home in the right community may make your homeownership experience both satisfying and financially rewarding.