Tips to Examine and Assess a Neighborhood for its Current and Future Impact on Value of Real Estate

Learn the Answers to These Concerns:

• What kind of properties surround the property you intend to buy?
• Is the neighborhood deteriorating or getting better?
• Are large chain stores and grocery stores planning to come to the neighborhood?
• Number of "for sale' and 'for rent" signs. - Having more owners is better than more renters.
• Condition and maintenance of streets.
• Quality of cars. New and well-maintained cars are a good sign.
• Age of houses in the area.
• Crime statistics.
• Rating of schools.
• Hospitals, shopping centers, fire stations, police stations, sporting facilities, recreation parks in the area.
• Access to public transportation and major arteries.

How to check a neighborhood:

• Speak with a real estate agent specializing in the area.
• Go to public library and ask for local information.
• Talk to neighbors around the house that you plan to buy.
• Check demographics, crime statistics, schools and hospital information.

Neighborhood tips:

• Large retailers, grocery stores, shopping center developers hire people to make researches for their new locations. Their researchers take into consideration all statistics, demographics, crime statistics, etc. So, try to get leads about their future moves. See how many stores they already opened and how many they are planning to open in the near future.
• Local government zoning and government planning departments may have growth and zoning plans that you may look at. Ask these government agencies for the last public meeting records.
  

Zip Codes of San Diego and the Surrounding Areas