Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions and responsibilities you will make in your lifetime. That being said, there are certain aspects of your home that you’ll want to consider before making your final decision; the size of the home, bedroom quantity, and school district are a few examples of important choices you’ll need to make during the buying process.

Out of all the important decisions you’ll need to make on your home purchase, however, the location of your home is perhaps one of the most impactful. It can be a little daunting making the decision on where to purchase your home, so if you’re needing some advice on how to find the best location for your new home, check out the tips below.

Look at the Retailers

Most established retailers and restaurants are not going to invest in having business locations in an area or neighborhood that isn’t on the up and up. Pay attention to what businesses are nearby and local to a neighborhood you’re considering as it can be a good indicator of how well the area is doing.

Explore the Neighborhood

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in the neighborhood your home is located in, so it’s important that you’re comfortable with your surroundings and that it’s a good fit for you and your family. Try taking a walk through the area and explore what it has to offer, visit some of the local stores, and check out the park scene. It’s also a good idea to drive through and scope the area out at different times of the day as things can change rapidly between morning and evening.

School Ratings

This is important if you have school-age children, as you’ll want the best in education for them; but, school ratings are also a good indicator either way of how much is being invested both monetarily and an effort by your local system.

Location to Your Work

Commuting is a fact of life for many people, but it’s important that the home you’re considering isn’t complicating or lengthening your commute too much. Otherwise, you’ll become frustrated with your decision pretty quickly. Drive the route to your work from the area your considering so you can get a good grasp on what you may be dealing with in time and traffic.

Neighborhood Activity

Pay attention when you visit a neighborhood to see if families are spending time outdoors and if kids are outside. This can be a good indicator of safety and comfort levels in the area.

When you are checking out a home, scope out the other homes in the area as well. If you notice that your potential neighbors seem to keep things in good repair, this is a good sign.

Home Sale Turnaround

How quickly a home sells once placed on the market is a good sign of how sought after a particular neighborhood is. When you’re considering an area, watch for listed homes and how quickly they are taken off the market.

City Property Maintenance

You definitely want to reside in a city that takes pride in maintaining the neighborhood you live in. When you visit, check out how well-kept the local parks and gardens are. Are the streets kept relatively clean? What about the grass and trees that line the sidewalks?

Business Development

When you pass through, if you notice new businesses being built, this is a good sign of stability in the area. Businesses are not going to invest in establishing themselves in a neighborhood that they don’t see as lucrative.