Follow These 7 Tips to Find your Perfect Neighborhood

You’ve undoubtedly heard that location is key when searching for a new home. And it’s true! The location of your home can be just as important as the actual home itself. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your neighborhood, so you’ll want to make sure it’s somewhere you’ll be happy to call home.

But how do you find the perfect neighborhood for you and your family? Jaime Durell is here to help. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect neighborhood for your needs in no time.

The first step in finding the perfect neighborhood is to sit down and define your priorities. What is important to you and your family? Do you need to be close to schools or daycare? Are you looking for a quiet cul-de-sac or prefer to be on a main road? What size home do you like? How big of a yard do you want? Given neighborhoods are usually planned and homogeneous, it will be easier to find one that meets most, if not all, of your criteria if you have a good idea of what those are from the start.

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to start your research. If you’re relocating to a new area, spend time online getting to know the different neighborhoods. You can start by looking at home listings that appeal to you and then search for forums about life on that street or even Google Street View to get a better idea of the area.

If you’re staying local, take some time to explore different areas of town. Drive around, walk, or bike through various neighborhoods and get a feel for the area. Pay attention to things like the condition of the homes, the noise level, and whether there are any parks or other amenities nearby. Once you find a few streets that appeal to you, you’ll want to visit them at different times and on different days of the week to get a well-rounded view.

When narrowing down your options, it’s always a good idea to talk to people who already live in your areas of interest. Ask them what they like and don’t like about where they live. Find out if there are any concerns you should know about and whether they would recommend their neighborhood to others. They can tell you about the good points of the community and give you an insider’s view if you’ve been unable to find forums about the area online.

If you’re new to the area, Grantham, NH, real estate agents can also be a valuable resource. They likely have experience with many of the neighborhoods in Grantham and can offer insights you may not have considered.

When choosing a neighborhood, it’s essential to consider the future and the present. If you’re young and single, you might be content with a smaller home closer to your favorite local amenities. But if you’re planning on starting a family soon or already have young children, you might want to look for a street with a playground. Similarly, if you have school-age children, you will want to consider all levels of schooling connected to the neighborhood you are considering. How well are the schools rated? Are they within walking distance, or will your children need to take a bus? If you’re retired, you may be more interested in a quiet neighborhood near your family or your favorite hobbies, like the Eastman Golf Links for a round of golf or the Grantham Mountain Trail for an afternoon hike.

Think about your long-term goals and choose a neighborhood that can accommodate them. A home purchase is usually a multi-year, if not a lifetime, commitment, so you want to be sure you’re happy with your decision for the long haul.

When buying a home, you want to ensure your investment will grow. One way to do this is by paying attention to market trends in the area. As you narrow your focus on specific properties, your agent will be able to provide you with more insight into this.

Keep in mind, however, that no one can predict the future. The real estate market is always subject to change, so there’s no guarantee that your neighborhood will appreciate at the rate you expect. But if you do your homework, you can make an educated estimate based on past trends.

Grantham, NH real estate is in Sullivan County, where median sales prices for homes have remained steady at about $340,000 the past year, according to data by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors. Sullivan County has an inventory shortage, as only 20 houses were sold in September 2022. In the same month, homes only averaged 14 days on the market, and you can bet Grantham luxury homes come at a premium.

Buyers should expect Grantham real estate to be a very competitive market. Grantham has remained a solid seller’s market for half a decade with no signs of stopping. This bodes well for buyers interested in calling this town home while protecting their investments.

One of the best ways to find your perfect neighborhood is to partner with a real estate agent who knows the area well. Once you provide your buyer’s agent with your list of priorities, they can start looking for properties and neighborhoods that match your needs. An experienced agent will have a long history of clients in the area, which allows them to offer you an insider’s view of different neighborhoods.

You’ll be the one living in your new home, so it’s essential to go with your gut feeling. If a neighborhood doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and keep looking. With a bit of time and effort, you’re sure to find the perfect neighborhood to suit your needs for many years.

When looking for your perfect neighborhood, it’s important to remember what you want in a home, your current lifestyle, and how your lifestyle may change in the coming years. New Hampshire is a great place to live with something for everyone. If you are ready to purchase a New Hampshire home, work with an experienced real estate agent like Jaime Durell, who will help you find the right area for your needs.