When your children start school, it is important to consider buying a home that is located in a great school district. The best schools are often surrounded by the best neighborhoods.
Education is a top priority for most parents. But, a good education can come with a hefty price tag.
Moving to the right school can be difficult, even if your current neighborhood is great. How do you find the perfect home in the right school district for your child?
This article will show you how to find a home in a great school district and what to do before you make an offer.
Find the right Realtor
Ask any realtor, and they’ll tell you that a local real estate agent is the best way to find a home in a great school district. They will be able to set up a search according to your criteria and notify you as soon as a property is available for sale.
High-quality schools in desirable areas sell quickly so be ready to grab a house as soon as possible if you like the location.
People put up houses for sale in spring and early summer as they don’t want their children to move while in school. This makes the season extremely competitive. If you are determined to find a house in a specific area, don’t be afraid of moving during winter or around holidays if a property becomes available.
Get personal
Some realtors recommend sending letters to those who live in the district if you are truly interested in the school district. Although it might seem a bit ridiculous and trite, you never know when someone might be willing to sell.
If you provide every possible contact method: email, phone, and mailing address, it will make it easier for potential buyers to get in touch with you.
You can also find neighborhood-specific Facebook groups and post that you want to buy a house.
Location, Location, Location
A real estate recently said to me that “the only thing you can change about a house’s location is its location” It should be your central focus when searching for a home in a good school district. Schools are often predetermined so it is important to locate a house within that area if you feel confident that your child will be happy.
You should also take into consideration other factors that can impact your daily life such as your commute time, property taxes, or housing affordability.
It might not be possible to take your child to soccer practice if the school district is 45 minutes from your office. When deciding on a neighborhood, consider all aspects of homebuying.
Make Compromises
You may have to make concessions if you don’t have the budget to buy a home in the right school district or have the amenities you desire. If you are looking for a home in a good area with affordable prices, it might be worth giving up on a master bedroom with a large closet.
What is most important to you? How will it affect your daily life? Keep looking if you don’t want a large dining room for Thanksgiving or other major holidays. If you are willing to give up your big backyard and finished basement, then go ahead and buy the house.
Build Your Own
My friend and her husband have been looking at houses casually for over a year. They spent a lot of time looking at homes within the schools they were interested in as well as those outside their area. Both realized after a year that they had never found the home they loved.
They were disappointed that all the houses they wanted were too costly or out of their school district. So they bought a lot to build their house. The best part about building their home was that they could control all aspects of it. They wouldn’t have the worry of buying a house they don’t want or remodeling it.
Building a home is cheaper than buying a home. This is especially true if the major appliances are covered by a 10-year warranty. A house can take many months to build so you will need to have somewhere to stay while it is being built.
A large down payment is required for a construction loan. This usually amounts to 20-25%. After the home has been built, you can convert it into a regular mortgage.
