Building a Home? Here's How to Find the Right Neighborhood

Building a home can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. There are a lot of complexities involved, and it can be frustrating when timelines change or things go wrong.

Building a home is rarely a smooth process, and there are many factors that are out of your control, like the weather. But there is one thing you do have control over: location.

All of the time, stress and frustration is worth having the home you want in the location you want.

Here's how to find the right neighborhood for your new home.

Established Neighborhood, or Restriction-Free?

Would you prefer to live in an established sub-division, or would you rather build your home on a lot that has no restrictions?

An established neighborhood gives you the advantage of being able to preserve your property's value. A lot outside of a subdivision gives you more flexibility, but you may wind up with neighbors that don't respect or value their property.

Established communities also offer the benefit of having build-ready lots. At Foxboro Ranch Estates, for example, lots are ready for 3,000sqft+ luxury homes. They'll even take care of the building and installation for you to make your life less stressful.

But like with any other community, there are restrictions. From home size to architectural style and the number of pets you can have, there are many rules that homeowners must abide by in order to avoid fines.

Close to Amenities, or Far Away?

When choosing a location for your new home, you need to consider how far you want to be from amenities.

Typically, the closer you are to shops and restaurants, the busier and noisier the location will be.

Do you want to:

• Live on a busy or quiet street?

• Be walking distance from stores?

• Be close to parks?

Write down your preferences and use this as a guide to find the right lot for your home.

Crime Rates and Schools

Another important consideration when choosing a lot, especially if you have children, is the crime rate.

Most people would prefer to avoid high-crime areas, even though the housing markets are more affordable in these areas.

Contact the local police department or search the web to find information on crime rates in the areas you're considering. Make sure that you consider all of the facts. In some areas, the crime rates appear to be higher than average because the area receives a lot of tourists at certain times of the year.

If you have children or plan to have children in the near future, you might want to consider the local schools. Even if you don't want kids or your kids have moved out, you can use school ratings to help you find a good neighborhood.

Another thing you'll need to consider is whether the kids will be able to take the bus or if you'll have to drive them to school. You may be close enough to walk to the school, but consider how far and how safe the walk will be.