Choosing a home development doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. If you want to be a resident in a tight knit community use both the internet and offline research to augment your due diligence campaign.
Ask around for Objective Feedback
Neighborhood associations, community websites and local authorities may mean well but you’ll only get to know a community by interviewing your potential neighbors. Statistics may be skewed. Community websites are obviously in the business of accentuating the benefits of living in such communities.
If you want to know how it feels to live in a home within a development speak to people who are residents. You’ll learn more about your neighbors, issues like crime and you’ll get an overall clearer picture by speaking to a resident.
Set aside time to speak to 4 or 5 residents. Don’t go on one person’s opinion alone. Paranoid people may warn you about “suspicious” neighbors who are nothing more than quiet, private people. Some other neighbors may have an axe to grind in regards to other residents. Residents who see you as a perfect fit for the neighborhood may gloss over some key problems or issues which should be addressed.
Get a cross section of the community by having a sit down with a handful of people in their homes. Bring some food as a token of your appreciation. Create a list of questions to ask each individual or family.
Walk and Drive around the Neighborhood
Spending time around the neighborhood is the easiest way to get a feel for your potential new home. After you’ve scheduled interviews with potential neighbors consider walking around the neighborhood. Observe how many people seem out and about. Are you a social type? Living among social people may be a high priority for you.
If you’re more private you’d relish a quiet, reserved neighborhood where people are pleasant but keep to themselves. Walk around to get a feel for the community.
After strolling around town hop into your car and drive to local grocery stores, pharmacies and the local bank. Time your commute to each location. Drive to and from work to see if you’re likely to run into any traffic. Cruise over to your child’s school – or new school –to get a feel for your daily commute.
The most appealing community situated in a poor location is missing one critical element. Spend heavily on gas and eating up precious hours of the day isn’t worth the bargain you may be receiving or the engaging community you wish to become a member of.
After walking and driving around for a few hours you’ll likely have a better idea if this community is a good match for your needs.
Use the Internet
Tap into the internet to gauge resident feedback concerning home communities. Online forums and social media groups serve as meeting places for current and former community residents. Tune into glowing reviews, harsh feedback and everything in between to form your own opinion about a development.