Super-sleuthing the neighborhood that might become your own

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Published Date 8/30/2023

You can study all the stats in the listing, personally tour a home three or four times, ask your agent a ton of questions, check crime rates, and do online searches about schools. But how much do you really know about living in the neighborhood you’re about to invest in?

It’s easy to get a gut feeling for the locale and the home, but if you’re new to the area or afraid someone else will swoop in on your dream home if you don’t act fast, what can you do to allay your fears that this is where you’d want to live? There are definitely questions your agent can’t or is not permitted to answer, but it doesn’t stop you from doing your own research.

Realtor.com’s Kelly Burch says — talk to the neighbors. After all, who knows the area better than the people who already live there? New Jersey-based Realtor Randy Rabney says, “Most people are willing to talk with prospective buyers. If you see a neighbor outside, just politely approach them, tell them you are considering buying the house for sale on the street, and ask if they mind answering a couple of questions. I have never seen a person refuse.” Rabney says savvy buyers make a habit of doing this. But what questions do you ask?

The first is — “How would you describe the area, and what it’s like living here?” It’s an open-ended question that allows neighbors to spill whatever comes to mind first—which is often the things that they love (and hate) the most about their neighborhood. It’s an opportunity for them to share without restriction. Don’t forget that people’s perspectives can differ. Focus on getting a good feel for the vibe of the neighborhood, and make sure to ask several neighbors the same questions, so you can get a more accurate picture.

A great follow-up question would be — “If you could change anything at all about the neighborhood, what would it be?” Remember the scene from My Cousin Vinny where a sleep-deprived Vinny asks the hotel desk clerk if that train goes by every day at 5 a.m., and he says — “No. It usually passes by at 4.” This is also a chance for the neighbors to talk about limited parking, barking dogs, or other annoying inconveniences.

Curious about schools? Remember — even if you don’t have kids or plan on having them, schools are a major concern when factored into property values. While you’ll find lots of resources online to learn about school system ratings, nothing beats hearing about the personal experiences of families who have kids enrolled in the local schools.

If you’re a social animal, you might also want to ask about whether or how people in the neighborhood socialize. If you’re hoping for 4th or July driveway gatherings, backyard barbecues, karaoke parties, running partners, or wine buddies, this is the time to ask. By the same token, if you are into a peaceful vibe, it’s important to know just how peaceful the neighborhood or the street actually is. It’s all about how you might fit into the world that has already been created around the home you might buy.

And how about a question about the actual home itself— like, “Is there anything that I should be aware of with this property?” While sellers are legally required to disclose certain information, neighbors might be willing to dish more on the property—revealing things that weren’t evident in the disclosure,” says Boston-based Realtor Traci Shulkin.

“Neighbors love to talk, so if the property you are thinking of buying has run into some problems, then the neighbors would know all about it,” Shulkin says. “They could also give you the back story of why the property is on the market, which is all good intel for negotiation.”

A great time to try to catch neighbors out and about is during the open house. Ask the attending agent if any are present. Then do your due diligence. Another savvy thing to do (if you can) is to drive by or even park in the neighborhood at different times of day to gauge the level of activity, traffic, and noise. It just makes sense when you are making this big an investment.

Realtor, TBWS

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NEXA Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #1660690) 3100 W Ray Rd 201, Suite 209, Chandler, AZ 85226 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org); Equal Housing Opportunity