| > | | | | town are, and where the most rental units are. If |
| Ready to buy that new home? Learn how to avoid | | | | you listen well and read between the lines you should |
| some common surprises. | | | | learn something about where you might want to buy |
| It's funny but no fun to buy a new home and then | | | | a house. |
| discover that snakes are regular visitors in the living | | | | Visit the town before buying a house, of course, and |
| room. And you don't want to move into a house | | | | visit a good local bar. Residents there will tell you |
| with a leaky roof or a wet basement. Or discover | | | | which employers are about to move in or out of the |
| that you picked the worst neighborhood in town - | | | | town, how fast or slow homes are selling, whether |
| after you buy. To avoid surprises like these when | | | | there are criminal gangs, and more. But verify what |
| buying a new home, you have to learn about the | | | | they tell you, since people do sometimes exaggerate |
| town, the neighborhood and the house. Here are | | | | a bit. For best results, choose a bar with customers |
| some ways to do that - before you make that offer. | | | | who are most like you (income level, interests, etc.), |
| Your New Town | | | | to get the information most relevant to your needs. |
| An online search by city and state (Fresno California) | | | | Drive around town. It will help you get a good feel |
| will usually lead you to an official city site, or a | | | | for where you might want to live. Stop to ask |
| chamber of commerce website. These sites can | | | | questions when you see people out in their yards, |
| provide a lot of useful information, but they are | | | | and take notes. |
| "selling" the city. For the good and the bad, find a | | | | Your New Home |
| local newspaper online as well. See what going on in | | | | has a lot of information on the homes they list. You |
| town, and check the classified advertising section to | | | | can search for other real estate listing sites. They |
| get an idea about home prices too. | | | | won't mention things like whether a house is in an |
| Detailed statistics on almost every town and city in | | | | area with scorpions or street flooding, but answers |
| the U.S. can be found at Click on a state, then find | | | | to these questions can also be found on the internet. |
| the city you want on the list (it covers towns of | | | | Google the name of the town and "forum," and if |
| 6,000 people or more). You'll find more statistics than | | | | there is one, sign up (they're usually free). Read the |
| you can possibly use, ranging from population, | | | | posts, and ask about the specific area you are |
| average income, crime statistics, maps, photos and | | | | thinking of moving to. People usually respond, as they |
| much more. | | | | did when we visited a community forum and |
| Visit for climate information on almost every city in | | | | discovered that a good cat will take care of |
| the U.S. Click on a state, choose the city you want, | | | | scorpions. |
| and see how many inches of rain or snow they get | | | | When you have a good idea of the problems which |
| each year, how hot or cold it gets, etc. You'll also find | | | | might be associated with a certain neighborhood, you |
| a link to the current weather forecast for the town. | | | | know what to ask when you start looking at houses. |
| Call somebody from the Chamber of Commerce or a | | | | Carry a home inspection checklist with you when you |
| local real estate agent. Their phone numbers can be | | | | do look at homes, and work your way through it. |
| found online at or a Chamber Of Commerce website. | | | | Pass on your notes to the professional inspector |
| Make a list of questions, and ask about stores, | | | | once you decide to buy a house. |
| libraries, jobs, crime and anything else that is | | | | When you're sure you like a home, walk around the |
| important to you. We asked many people in many | | | | area. Find a person or two out in their yards, and talk |
| towns, "Do you own a snow shovel?" before | | | | to them for a few minutes. Ask about noisy |
| choosing to move to Tucson, Arizona. | | | | neighbors, recent crime and other things that will help |
| Your New Neighborhood | | | | you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for |
| Once you have a local realtor or city official on the | | | | you. Do this and take the precautions above and |
| phone, ask about the various neighborhoods in town. | | | | your new home shouldn't have too many unpleasant |
| If they hesitate to label areas as "good" or "bad,", | | | | surprises for you. |
| ask more specific questions, like where older parts of | | | | |