Say you’ve found a house for sale in an area that’s unfamiliar to you. How do you figure out if it’s going to be the ideal neighborhood?

The first step is to take a walk. Stroll the neighborhood and explore. If you get the chance, chat with homeowners and get their opinions of the area. Ask what they love about it. Also ask what they don’t like.

Next, determine how the neighborhood is going to fit with your lifestyle. You’ll want to consider things like commuting routes, local amenities, schools, parks, shopping, etc. Google Maps is a great tool for this. Just turn on the satellite view and get a bird’s eye view of the area and its features.

Finally, get the latest data on neighborhood characteristics such as noise, demographics, crime rates, and more. You’ll be surprised by how much data is available, and the valuable insights you can gain about what it’s going to be like to live there.

If the neighborhood turns out to be a good fit, consider making an offer on that house!