When you begin your homebuying journey, it's fun to imagine all the ideas you may have for your dream home, such as having extra patio space or more modern appliances! However, the beginning of the homebuying journey is the best time to consider factors outside the home as well, such as location and neighborhood, exterior property details, school district, and commute time. Considering external factors will help narrow your search and make it easier to find a home that fits your needs.

Neighborhood

The first step in choosing a home is identifying where you want to live! Picking a town or region you are interested in moving to will help you decide which neighborhoods may work best for you and your family. Some important things to consider here are whether you want to live in a city, suburb, or rural area. This can majorly affect things like public transportation, walkability and security options.

Once you’ve selected a region, it can be helpful to narrow your search further and identify one or more neighborhoods you’d like to live in. Keep in mind, while you may have a specific neighborhood you are after, it can sometimes be tough to find exactly what you’re looking for there. Working with a real estate agent can help you locate what you are looking for in any neighborhood!

Acreage and lot size

If you are interested in land or acreage coming with your home, this is an important factor to consider when you begin your home search. After identifying potential neighborhoods, it’s helpful to set your standards for how big of a lot you would like to purchase, and what the maintenance may look like. This will vary by neighborhood and region.

For example, you are more likely to have land with your property in a rural area than in a suburban or metro area. However, it is certainly reasonable to know the size of a lot you want your home to be on, regardless of location!

School district and daily commute

Two important, yet sometimes overlooked, factors in the home search are the school district and daily commute to school or work. There may be an excellent school district two miles away from a home you are interested in, but your job may be 50 miles away. This is potentially something you will have to make concessions about, depending on your preferences.

Schools and jobs can be further commutes in more rural locations, but it can be worth it if the home and location are what you want. If you are searching for a home close to your job and close to a school, these factors can help narrow down a location for you. Considering the transportation opportunities and limitations can be helpful in your decision.

Other details to consider

While neighborhood and location, acreage and lot size, and school and job locations are some of the most important factors when considering where to live, there are other, sometimes smaller things to consider when looking at a home. For example, it can help to know what exterior factors you are looking for in a home, such as how much lawn there is to mow, if the road is gravel or well-cared for pavement, the driveway condition, or where the school bus stop is in location to the home.

Other things to consider are how close the nearest grocery store of your preference is, how well cell phones and internet services work, and whether the area is pet friendly. While these details may be small, they can add up to be important in your day-to-day life.

Looking for a home isn’t just about the home! Sometimes it’s about other factors, too, such as the neighborhood and land. These factors can be helpful in identifying your dream home as you begin looking for where to land.

External Factors to Review in a Property