Tips for Choosing the Right Neighborhood
Studies show that living in a neighborhood that matches your lifestyle can significantly increase your overall satisfaction with life. So, how do we make sure we’re choosing wisely?
Define Your Lifestyle Needs
• When it comes to real estate, we all know the saying about buying or selling a home: location, location, location. The community can matter a lot when it comes to your happiness and future values. Take time to research the neighborhood and surrounding area so you don’t end up with a bad case of Buyer’s remorse later.
• When relocating to Las Vegas for work, choosing an area is easy because we will start looking at homes close to your office. For families, schools might be your priority or if you are older than you might prefer an age-restricted community.
• When I meet with clients, I always start by asking a lot of questions. I need to understand what is important for timing, pricing and of course the specific features you are looking for in a home. I recommend you start with a list of what is important to you and your lifestyle.
• The great thing about living in Las Vegas is that there are lots of options for different lifestyles. You can live in a high-rise on the strip with the amazing views and you will be right in the middle of the action. Or if you prefer the slower paced small town, feel you might like Henderson or Summerlin. If you want a Resort lifestyle then Lake Las Vegas might be great for you!
Research Local Amenities and Services
• Las Vegas and Henderson both have several master-planned communities and neighborhoods that promote family centered activities. The benefit of a master-planned community is that there are walking tails and parks, and the community is planned out for a certain lifestyle. Las Vegas has the master planned community of Summerlin. This is by far the largest community with over 22,000 acres and 125,000 residents. The community is in the northwest area and has over 300 parks. Henderson has several master planned communities such as Anthem, Green Valley, Green Valley Ranch, Seven Hills, Inspirada, Cadence and Lake Las Vegas and is known for its lush greenery and mature landscaping boasting 1,400 acres of developed parks and trails. Master planned communities have holiday activities and community events. This can be a great way to meet other families.
• In Las Vegas we have Homeowner Associations. There are rules and regulations requiring homeowners to maintain their home. There can also be restrictions such as no overnight street parking and the fact that the yards must be kept up. This can help with the overall appeal of the neighborhood. I am glad to live in a community with an HOA as I feel the neighborhood looks good which will maintain values. I also have clients that prefer not to have the restrictions and prefer being able to use the home as they desire. The key is to understand what is important to you.
• Families with children should be particular about researching the quality of schools in the neighborhood. You can find out a lot about public schools by doing research online. There are several websites such as greatschools.com with information on the schools. The best way to learn about a school is to get feedback from other parents who have children in the school or are familiar with schools.
Understanding Property Values
• Keep in mind that buying a home is a give and take. A master planned community will have higher priced homes than other areas, but the values will remain higher as the areas develop. This is because there is a plan as to where the commercial business and schools where be located. It is important that you focus on the long-term investment and not just the immediate affordability.
Community Feel and Culture
• The amenities that a community offers can make a significant impact on the community feel and culture. Begin by looking at the area’s schools, green spaces, parks, and recreation centers. Take a drive around the area, check out the shopping and go out to eat at nearby restaurants. Finally, if you have children, investigate the local activities and programs that may appeal to you. A neighborhood that has these amenities can improve not only your own experience but also the experience of your family’s life in the community.
• The demographics of a neighborhood play a vital role in determining the kind of life you will have. An older couple might want an age restricted community or possibly a neighborhood that is not focused on young families. Some affordable neighborhoods attract young families so make sure you are aware of what type of buyer demand is attracted to the community.
• I recommend driving the area on the weekend or during the evening to see how the community feels when most neighbors are home. This is a great way to see what the community is really like. With new development communities you must be careful. Of course, they look great when your viewing the model homes. It is important to look at the streets that have been completed in development. Are there ample parking spaces for the homes? What is the surrounding area like?
Evaluating Commute Times and Transportation
• Consider the area’s convenience to freeways. Some neighborhoods are a long distance to get to the airport or strip. For some buyers this can be a benefit and for others it is a drawback. Make sure you are taking it into consideration when looking at your commute times to work or other regular destinations. I recommend you drive from the house to your kids’ school and or your work. Start in the morning so you can get an idea of commute times. I have clients from California that are thrilled with only a 20-minute commute, so it really is just about understanding what is important for your situation.
Future Development Plans
• When buying a home, it’s essential to consider the long-term future of the neighborhood. Are there planned commercial developments that will affect the community. With new homes, will there be construction and roadwork for years or months? You want to make sure you know what to expect.
• I have clients that contacted us and were in escrow with another agent on a new home. This development was right by Las Vegas Boulevard and not within a master planned community. The homes were great and seemed like a good value but once the neighborhood started developing the clients realized they didn’t like the area. There was a lot of traffic and commercial development with a large casino right behind the development. This can be a big concern for buyers moving out of state. If you are not purchasing in a Master planned community, be very careful about what will be developed around the neighborhood.
