(3)  WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I’M NOT ASKING?  WHAT IS NOT OBVIOUS?  A competent real estate agent can tell you about schools, views, local shops, etc.  That agent can (a) share the colorful commentary about the past and present history and residents of the neighborhood, (b)  connecting you with former clients who live there and even, (c) telling you a deeper history of the home values in the neighborhood that might be evident from comps, with the context of various homes they have worked with in the area.  (4)  ARE THERE ANY COMMON ISSUES YOU FREQUENTLY SEE WITH HOMES IN THAT AREA?  Inspectors may know the topography, soils, climate and environmental factors that can impact homes in an area or on a given street over time.  What the inspector says can help you feel secure in your choice.  GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD SELECTING AHEAD!

(1)  WHAT DO PEOPLE AROUND HERE LIKE TO DO IN THEIR SPARE TIME?  Get chatty and friendly with future neighbors while you are viewing a home.  Do they know that the neighbors down the block exercise each a.m. at the local gym and you like that?  Or are they active in local schools?  (2)  WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY’S ECOSYSTEM TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE?  That “right ecosystem”  is your neighborhood.  Do you want the children to walk to school or convenient to the freeway or neighbors who have just as much pride of ownership in their homes as you do?  MORE TO COME TOMORROW.