Exploring the neighbourhood

By Laurent Fontaine

May 27 2008

Once you have started narrowing down your choices, explore every nook and cranny of the neighbourhood. Take the time to visit the area at different times during the week, and ask yourself the following questions.

- Is the neighbourhood ideal for you?
- Is there access to public transport (bus and/or metro), highways and major roads?
- Are bottlenecks and traffic jams common in the area during rush hour and on weekends?
- Are their any hidden annoyances like train tracks or nearby factories?
- Are the surrounding houses well-maintained?
- Is the neighbourhood growing or is the population aging?

Call municipalities for information on property taxes and inquire whether any zoning changes or development projects are on the horizon - otherwise, you’ll be in for a shock if your area’s lovely wooded outskirts are converted into a shopping area in the near future. You can also check out realty sites to compare property taxes by area.

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Choosing the right location
Start by making a list of all the features you want in your new home, then use the list to target your search.
Exploring the neighbourhood
Once you have started narrowing down your choices, explore every nook and cranny of the neighbourhood. Take the time to visit the area at different times during the week, and ask yourself the following questions.
Your credit rating is your best ally
Unless you’re independently wealthy and can pay for your home in cash, you’ll need to take out a mortgage. Before granting you a loan, your financial institution will conduct a credit check to determine your creditworthiness, which is reflected by your borrowing and repayment history.