How to Check If a Neighborhood Is Safe Before Buying a Home: 7 Points

Finally, you found the perfect home for you and your family. It’s just the right size, and the price is right! But, before you sign on that dotted line, you need to be sure of one more thing, is the neighborhood safe? Here’s a simple guide to buying a home so that you can be sure.

#1. Interview the neighbors

If there’s someone who can tell you what it’s like living in that neighborhood, it’s the people who are already living there. Go around and talk to some of the neighbors to ask them how they like the neighborhood and what they don’t like about it. Just take into consideration that each one has their own opinion, and some may have a skewed perspective. Nevertheless, you’ll get a wide variety of insight about the neighborhood.

#2. Walk around the neighborhood at night

You most likely visited the property during the day, at a time when most residents have already gone to work. It looks peaceful, bright, and cheery, but it can look and feel different at night. Walk around the neighborhood at night, as if you’re just coming home. This will let you know whether you feel safe and comfortable doing just that in the future. Some neighborhoods have residents loitering the streets after hours. Most of the time, they’re just your friendly neighbors. However, some people feel unsafe and unsecured when they encounter people on the streets, especially if they make considerable noise.

#3. Go back during a heavy rain

Some areas in the metro serve as catch basins when it’s raining. As such, rainwater diverts to the property, and there’s significant flooding. This can create a multitude of issues such as transportation difficulties, health concerns, and property damage. If, during your house-hunting period, you’re lucky enough to experience heavy rainfall, visit the neighborhood to see if there’s flooding and whether the roads leading to the home you’re purchasing are passable.

#4. Talk to the local police

Visiting the nearest police station will not just let you get a professional opinion about the safety of the neighborhood, but will also allow you to get to know the police officers who enforce the local laws. Are they friendly, helpful, and approachable? The local police officers and barangay officials will be able to tell you where the CCTVs are located and whether they patrol the streets daily. Ask about the crime rate in the neighborhood and what issues and problems are commonly encountered.

#5. Check the quality of schools

What schools and institutions surround the area? Often, good quality schools in the area usually signify that a neighborhood is generally safe for children and families. Furthermore, areas with better schools often have a higher property value.

#6. Look at public amenities and facilities

Look at the conditions of amenities and facilities in the area such as public parks, street lights, and other facilities. Are they clean and well-maintained? Have walls and benches been vandalized? Facilities that are well-maintained will show you that local authorities take care of the neighborhood.

#7. Visit nearby establishments

Visiting the nearby retail and food establishments will let you get the general vibe and culture of the neighborhood. Some areas are lined with bars that you may deem unsafe for young families with children. If you notice that the businesses nearby are heavily guarded, then it may be a sign that the business owners themselves don’t feel safe. You can also interview the owners and shop administrators about the safety and security around the neighborhood. When it comes to the safety of the neighborhood where your potential new home is located, be sure to do your research and take the time to learn everything you can since it’s for your own peace of mind. After all, you can never compromise your and your family’s safety.

AUTHOR BIO

Oscar is a content contributor for Avida’s lifestyle blog Pursuit of Passion. He is an engineer by profession but a multipotentialite by destiny. Just like a normal dude in a basketball-crazy country, one of his passions is shooting hoops. Grant Hill is the older brother he never had.

How to Check If a Neighborhood Is Safe Before Buying a Home