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For Buyers

You’re Buying More Than a Home, You’re Buying into a Community

Over the last 24+ years in home buying in Missouri and Kansas, we’ve learned a lot about buying opportunities and choices a buyer must make before selecting the perfect home. The checklist of considerations go beyond bedrooms and bathrooms. But, selecting the right home for you and your family isn’t about what’s between the walls or property lines, it’s about how your location works for you!

A neighborhood and the community it’s in should be considered equally when buying or building a new home. Home buying or building is a long term decision, one you should be completely happy with, so the more you can prepare and check all the boxes, the more you’ll enjoy the home, neighborhood and community you’re in!

Questions to Consider When it’s Time to Buy a Home

  1. If you’re a young professional who wants to live close to nightlife, think of how quickly that will all change once you get older, married, or have children. Will you struggle to find silence or a yard when living close to downtown, in a city center, or nearby noisy roads?
  2. If you’re a family with children and want to live within walking distance of their elementary school, think about middle and high school. Will the location work for you 5-10 years down the road or as they grow?
  3. If you’re ready to retire and desire peace and quiet, think about how your family or children visit and what if they bring your sweet, but loud grandchildren. If you also desire for more travel time, will your home allow for easy maintenance?

In a recent article by Consumer Affairs, most homeowners stay in their homes for 11.9 years, which is continuing to decline. Thinking long-term first is a great way to make an informed buying decision without packing up and leaving when you’re just starting to get settled. 

What to Look For in a Neighborhood

A neighborhood must make complete sense for you and your family. So many decisions are immediately made when you purchase in a neighborhood, like schooling and voting. 

The neighborhood you choose to live in is a prime factor in how good of an investment your home turns out to be! You already know how much you can afford to spend on a home, so start searching for neighborhoods that offer what you’re looking for. 

Think about these top 3 things that impact your buying decision (or, selling decision later on!):

  • Distance from work/job
  • Quality of schools
  • Access to the place you will worship, shop or play with recreational activities.

Here are some neighborhood sites to research for safety and location:

Community Amenities to Consider When Buying a Home

While some areas have communities with neighborhoods, some communities offer a lot of amenities full of enjoyment and social gatherings all year long. A social calendar that includes events and classes accentuates the importance of community when buying a home. 

So, with this in mind, let’s talk about components of selecting home within a community. 

  • Outdoor Amenities: Swimming Pool, Nature and Walking Trails, Tennis Courts, Garden
  • Family-fun activities like movies in the park, BBQ competitions, farmers markets, art fair and holiday gatherings

”Homebuyers don’t spend nearly enough time looking at the area around it.

Andrew Schiller, Founder and CEO of NeighborhoodScout
House Hunting Questionnaire

At The Gresham Group, we not only help home buyers love the process of buying a home, but we carefully research in areas where you can create long term memories in the community. Whether you’re looking for a single-family home nestled in a quiet neighborhood with nearby schools or a modern home in a growing town, we can help!

Download our Out-of-the-Box House Hunting Questionnaire, so The Gresham Group agents can find a home that fits with your personal style and needs, as well as, a community to socialize in.