| Relocation is stressful. Make it easier on yourself | | | | patterns, or something close to that. Thus, traffic |
| by using the power of the Internet to your | | | | congestion is less of a problem in these locales. |
| advantage. Inform yourself for one of the biggest | | | | Since 1970, the cul-de-sac and large building lots |
| decisions you'll make. Here are five things that can | | | | have reigned supreme. The increased lot size |
| you help you decide where to live. | | | | caused communities to spread out, making a car |
| 1. Cost/square foot. | | | | absolutely necessary for anything. The cul-de-sacs |
| Median home price is commonly reported, but | | | | feed traffic onto a limited number of main roads, |
| home sizes can vary greatly among neighboring | | | | creating traffic congestion. |
| communities. Unit cost is the best way to | | | | 3. Median Property Tax Rate. |
| maximize the value of your housing dollar. | | | | Don't just compare tax bills. Look at the tax rate. |
| Whether you're looking at residences in multiple | | | | In many states, it can vary greatly in a small |
| areas or want to determine if a specific residence | | | | distance if you happen to cross a county or town |
| is a good deal, unit cost is the way to do it. | | | | line. Equalization formulas and mill rates can get |
| For example, you are looking at two homes. One | | | | complicated. Make it easy on yourself. Just divide |
| is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with an asking | | | | the annual tax bill into the asking price to get an |
| price of $279,000. The other is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 | | | | idea of the effective tax rate. Compare it across |
| bathroom home with an asking price of $264,000. | | | | all properties you may be considering purchasing. |
| Sounds more affordable, right? Should you really | | | | If the rate seems really high or low for a |
| spend another $15,000 for the extra bedroom? | | | | particular property, ask your real estate agent to |
| Well, the first house is 2,400 sq. ft. and the | | | | help you find out why. |
| second is 2,000 sq. ft. That makes the second | | | | Keep in mind, if you move into an area with lower |
| house 14% more expensive on a unit cost basis. | | | | taxes but a higher tax rate, you may find |
| Your home is generally your biggest investment. | | | | yourself struggling to make the tax payment if |
| Make sure you maximize that investment. | | | | there is an unexpected surge in property values. |
| 2. Age range of residential real estate. | | | | In today's real estate market, anything is possible, |
| Different styles of homes were prevalent in | | | | so beware. |
| different periods. Prior to 1940, the Victorian, | | | | 4. Expenditure per student has nothing to do with |
| Farm House, and Bungalow styles were dominant. | | | | quality of education. |
| After the war, the Ranch, Split-level, and Cape | | | | School expenditures are largely driven by teacher |
| Cod came into vogue. In the 70's, the Colonial and | | | | salaries, so they are higher where it costs more |
| Modern styles became popular. Which do you | | | | to live. Student performance is most affected by |
| prefer, or prefer to avoid? Look for locales where | | | | parental involvement in the school system and |
| the most of the housing was built during the time | | | | their children's educational experience. Get local |
| your favored style was dominant. You'll be more | | | | district info and contact them to get a sense of |
| likely to find homes you really like. | | | | how involved parents are in the local schools, and |
| Residential real estate age distribution can often | | | | what options you have to be involved in your |
| tell you something else about a locale. Different | | | | child's education. |
| community planning and development customs | | | | 5. Use the web |
| were prevalent at different times. Look at when | | | | To get the facts on locales across the U.S. After |
| most of the housing was built and you'll see when | | | | all, the Internet is an information channel. Use it to |
| the community was actively being developed. | | | | inform yourself about what is one of the biggest |
| Before 1940 dependence on the car was not | | | | decisions you'll make. There are lots of sites with |
| firmly established and you're more likely to find | | | | helpful information and relocation advice (including |
| the quaint town center and homes within walking | | | | the one my company operates). Get the facts |
| distance of small business districts. | | | | and you'll have a quicker, easier relocation process. |
| From 1945 through 1970, we were spreading out, | | | | Get an idea of which locales are right for you |
| so communities developed then are more likely to | | | | before you start working with a real estate agent. |
| require a car to get most places. However, | | | | It will save you time overall, and make it easier |
| developers were still laying out streets in grid | | | | for them to help you find your dream locale. |