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You pull out all the stops to ascertain whether every single utility in the house is functioning properly or not.
In doing all these things, you simply forget to assess the neighborhood, which is also an important aspect of your prospective home.
While good surroundings can provide you the utmost peace of mind, a bad one can adversely affect your family's happiness and its security.
Moreover, you will find it difficult to connect with the people around and function as a part of the community.
For all these reasons, it is essential to scrutinize the neighborhood properly.
Here are some invaluable tips that will help you to choose a home with excellent environs.
Check out the reputation of the area- The best way to check the reputation of the area is through the local newspapers.
Most newspaper offices maintain an archive section, get permission to access this section and read the old issues, either in electronic or printed form.
Look out for incidents reported in that area like power shortage, lack of basic facilities and services, sporadic episodes of crime, natural disasters and so forth.
To get a clear picture, you can also talk to the local reporters.
Friends, relatives or colleagues residing in your prospective neighborhood can also provide you first hand information that is unbiased and objective.
You can even talk to a police officer who regularly patrols the surrounding areas.
Drive or walk through the neighborhood- Take a walk or drive through the neighborhood during a busy period, when you can expect people to be out like Sunday evenings.
If there is no one outside, then probably the place is not safe.
On the contrary, if there is a lot of noise, then also the place is not good for living because you would have to deal with it everyday.
In addition to busy periods, do inspect the surroundings during quiet periods like a Monday afternoon.
Carefully observe all the features- Spend a fair amount of time in the neighborhood to observe its various features.
Are the majority of houses well-maintained? Are the cars parked in the driveways in good condition? Are the roads well-kept? Are proper drainage and sanitation facilities available? Are all street lights functional? Is there adequate parking space? Are parks, community center, swimming pool and other public utilities in good condition? These are some of the questions for which you should find realistic answers.
Don't hesitate to talk with your prospective neighbors- People who have been living in the region for years are the best sources of information.
Hence, talk to them candidly.
Apart for getting to know the environs, you will also get a chance to make friends with your future neighbors.
If you have kids, do take them along with you.
They will also get a chance to interact with the other kids of the block.
Look for the convenience factors around- A good neighborhood is that which has all the conveniences in its vicinity like shopping center, multiplex, eating joints, public transportation, hospitals, schools, nurseries and so on.
One thing that you should bear in mind, while checking the surrounding area of your new house, is that all these amenities should not be very close to your home.
For example, if the bus stop is just outside your home, then you would have to deal with suffocating diesel fumes and deafening horns throughout the day.
Likewise, if there is a hospital, police station or fire station close to your home, then you would have to cope with roaring trucks and raucous sirens.
Conveniences are meant to help you and not to bother you, so take care.
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