When it comes to the house hunt, there are many things you’ll need to compromise on, but the neighbourhood isn’t one of them. After all, you can renovate the bathrooms but there’s not much you can do about the schools, parks, restaurants and community around you. So before you start dreaming about the kind of house you want, start dreaming about the kind of neighbourhood you want to live in. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Step 1. Profile your lifestyle
This step may require you to think ahead a few years. Yes, you may love the buzz of the city now, but are you planning to start a family soon? Chances are your newborn baby won’t take as kindly to the nightlife.
If you’re a parent or thinking of becoming one, ask yourself, where do I want my kids to go to school? Which neighbourhoods have the best parks and outdoor areas? Even if you’re single, living in a sought-after school area will raise your property’s value.
Other questions to ask include, how far are you willing to commute? Are you planning to drive, walk or take public transport? Do you want to be in a neighbourhood with charm and character, or do you prefer the newer, more modern areas?
Also list the things you’ve always dreamed of, like living by a waterfront or down the road from your favourite coffee shop. You may be willing to compromise on that extra bedroom if the house comes with a sea view and a cup of your city’s best brew.
Step 2. Do your research - or find someone to do it for you
There are probably hundreds of neighbourhoods in your search area, so where do you even begin? Wouldn’t it be great if there were such a thing as a Neighbourhood Expert to help you out?
Someone who knows where the best pet parlour is, who can list all the schools in a 10km radius, and who knows the name of the person in charge of the community watch? Finding out this information on your own could take weeks, if not months. And who wants to be scouting neighbourhoods while their dream home could be up for grabs?
The good news is that there is such a thing as a Neighbourhood Expert. In fact, there are more than 1500 of them dotted around South Africa. All you have to do to find one is call up your local Rawson franchise. Strange how they all hang out there. Must be the great coffee. (Wink, wink.)
A Rawson Neighbourhood Expert will be able to give you information on schools, crime in the area, parks, markets and so much more. Giving you the extra time to dream about that mountain view or backyard braai area.
Step 3. Scout the area
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of neighbourhoods, now comes the tough part. Before making the decision to move into the area, of course you’re going to need to try out the restaurants, sample the coffee on offer, picnic in the parks and take a couple of nosey walks around. But, hey, someone has to do it!
Take note of your general impression of the neighbourhood. What were some of the first things you noticed? Are the sidewalks and houses well-maintained? Can you visualise yourself jogging or walking your dog in the area?
Drive through the area in the evening and see if still has the same appeal. Talk to people in the area and find out what they think about it. This could be the quickest way to get inside intelligence.
Finally, look for any warning signs. Graffiti on the buildings, lots of ‘For sale’ signs, unkempt gardens. These could be indications that the area is on the downward slope. Alternatively, if you notice buildings being renovated, new shops popping up and community development, investment in the area could mean a steady incline in the value of your property.
Step 4. Get down to business
Once you’ve found the neighbourhoods you like, the next step is finding out if you can afford to live in any of them. Ask your Rawson Neighbourhood Expert for a list of the latest sales in the area. Are the prices anywhere in your bracket?
Visit your bank or a bond originator to find out what home loan you qualify for. If you’re really sold on the neighbourhood, you may be willing to downscale your dreams to get into the area.
Alternatively, you could look for a property that needs some work done on it. If the location hits all the right marks, it’ll be worth the wait to get that kitchen redone.
In need of some neighbourhood inspiration? Browse the submissions on Our Great Neighbourhoods Project www.rawson.co.za/neighbourhoods. You never know, you might fall in love.
