What to (literally) look for in a neighborhood?

Question

Dear BP community - my question is simple (and hopefully not a dumb one). When one visits an unfamiliar neighborhood, what are some things to look out for, either good or bad? I'm specifically asking about the neighboorhood/street/area, not the actual house.

I have narrowed some houses in a neighborhood that is a few hours from me, and I will be visiting the houses tomorrow. I have already checked out the crime stats, school ratings and "driven" around on Google maps to prep ahead of this visit. But I imagine there are certain things/signs that experienced RE investors look for, especially in an unfamiliar neighborhood/area.

Any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank-you in advance!

Robert Leonard · Answer

@Parul S. I think @Cal C. nailed it when they said cars.

CARS

Cars tell you a lot.  Cars in the middle of the day, means occupants aren't at school or work when they should be.  Junk or shabby cars (on blocks or flat tires) are also an indicator of inhabitants inability to maintain them.  Excess cars parked on the grass also indicate overuse and problems. Indicates occupants' economic status.

ROOFS

Roofs tell you a lot about a neighborhood too.  Where there are patchy or lots of aged roofs indicate a neighborhood in distress. Indicates same as cars.

BURGLAR BARS

Burglar bars were put on a lot of houses by the elderly as their neighborhoods declined before they left. The burglar bars were usually put up in response to high crime problems in an area. Indicates crime problems.

LANDSCAPING

Landscaping takes a good bit of care to maintain.  If there's none, nobody cares or its all been removed to minimize maintenance costs. Indicates apathy.

PEOPLE

If you visit an area and there are lots of people at a time of day that most people are at school or work, that's a problem.  If you get the "stink eye" like you shouldn't be there, you'll know what I'm talking about.  I'm a military retired guy and I've been in neighborhoods where I did "rolling stops" at stop signs because I didn't have anybody watching my back and I wanted to be out of there as quick as possible.  Indicates hostile territory, aka war zone.

Your question certainly isn't a dumb one.  You will see lots of things when you go to neighborhoods that are missed on the "Google drive-by." I use it too and it saves me lots of gas.  You'll learn pretty quickly how these few indicators will give you a sense of property values in a neighborhood.

Cal C. · Answer

@Sylvia B. Thanks I should have put a rocking chair qualifier in that statement! :)

Sylvia B. · Answer

Well, now, that depends. Young, able-bodied, working age people sitting around in the middle of the day is not a good sign. But old people sitting on the front porch is a very good sign. One, they see everything going on, and two, they feel safe and comfortable in their neighborhood.

Cal C. · Answer

that is an excellent question!  I look for cars in driveways, lots of cars in different driveways during the day can mean lots of unemployed people, lots of cars in one drive way can mean illegal immigrants.  I also look at house and yard conditions.  The better the condition the more I want to invest there.  I also look to see if any one is walking their children (a positive sign) but anybody just sitting on their porch or just standing around are detractors.  Junked or multi colored cars are major detractors.

Parul S. · Answer

Wow. This is why I love BP. Thank-you SO much for all your responses. I'm leaving in a few minutes for my house visit, and I feel so much better prepared than I was a day ago.

THANK-YOU!

Account Closed · Answer

I agree with checking the area at night and will want to see what it's like on the weekends

just talk  to some of the people in the area and you can learn a lot

I look at distance  to shop ,restaurants, churches, parks.

Here  you may see a lot of folks in the daytime in one area who are deadbeats  but  in another area they may be employed and work second or third shift and if its summer some factory's work weird hours when it's real hot.

Christine Oliphant · Answer

One of the BP podcasts I recently listened to said if you're unsure about the neighborhood to come back and night to see what's going on. I thought that was a great idea especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.

He was probably joking about Detroit :)

Cal C. · Answer

@Robert Leonard burglar bars are a great point.  When I see them I very quickly see that neighborhood in the rear view mirror, but I think @Parul S. already mentioned checking crime stats which would likely have eliminated burglar bar areas.

Jean Bolger · Answer

And of course, graffiti.

Most urban neighborhoods will have some, it shouldn't be a deal breaker. So if it's there, look for signs of it being promptly covered over by the residents or the municipality. I usually expect to see a bit in alleys, that sort of thing. If it starts seeping out of the alleys into the more main streets, that is very concerning.

A clean alley pretty much means a good neighborhood IMO

Parul S. · Answer

@Cal C.  - thank you so much for the tips - they make a lot of sense!

What to (literally) look for in a neighborhood?

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