Need help finding the right Philadelphia neighborhood for your home search? Here are five factors that should figure prominently in your thinking before buying a home in Philadelphia:
Great Schools?
Even if you don’t have kids, the quality of the schools in a given neighborhood should be high on your priority list. That’s because property values are higher in communities with strong school districts, meaning that your home will appreciate more. That said, you may have to settle for less house due to higher prices.
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Increasing Property Values?
Independent of school quality, you should look at local trends in home prices to get insight into that community’s future. If property values have been in steady decline for a decade, you’ll likely face issues when it comes to reselling down the line. Instead, look for up and coming neighborhoods where home prices are climbing.
Heavy Traffic?
Remember: if you’re buying a home, chances are you plan on living there for a long time. Heavy traffic may not seem like a big deal now, but in five years you (and your wallet) may feel differently. Congestion can also have health and safety implications with respect to air pollution and car accidents.
Reliable Emergency and Medical Services?
In the event that something bad happens, you want to be sure that emergency responders can reach you quickly. It’s also one thing to be close to a hospital, and quite another to be close to a good hospital. If possible, concentrate on areas in proximity to university hospitals, which tend to have more modern equipment and resources.
Lots of Crime?
Don’t rely on looks alone when evaluating the safety and security of a neighborhood. Information on local crime rates (and most common types of crime) are commonly available from your local police department and the FBI website, and real estate sites like Zillow aggregate data from several sources to provide their own reporting.
If you’re interested in buying a home and learning more about Philadelphia neighborhoods, contact Agent Lady to help educate you about the process so you’ll be more prepared when you’re ready to buy. You can schedule a time to chat by either contacting us here. Looking forward to chatting shortly!
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, click here.
