on Mar 14th, 2011Choosing Your Perfect Carmel Indiana Neighborhood – It Just Makes Sense!
If you’re preparing to shop for a Carmel home, chances are you can rattle off a list of “must have” features without hesitation — stainless steel appliances, hardwoods, updated fixtures, granite, surround sound. But what if your real estate agent asked you what you want in a Carmel Indiana neighborhood? Could you answer as quickly? If “perfect neighborhood” isn’t already at the top of your Carmel Homes Wish List, it should be. After all, you can always add hardwood floors. Moving your dream home to your dream neighborhood–not so easy.
Here are a few considerations to help you select the ideal Carmel neighborhood where you can be a happy homeowner for years to come.
New development or established neighborhood? Each has its pros and cons. Obviously a new development is going to be, well, newer. New homes, new amenities, etc. Landscaping will also be new, which means you won’t have the lush, homey feeling an established neighborhood can offer. And, unlike a mature neighborhood, a new development doesn’t allow you to see the finished product, as construction will likely still be under way.
By Car or by Feet? Do you prefer a walkable neighborhood with sidewalks and nearby shopping and restaurants? Then a secluded country setting probably isn’t for you.
Got Kids? If so, you’ll want a neighborhood in a respected school district. Check out www.greatschools.org to see school ratings for your area.
Who rules? Neighborhood associations provide protection for homeowners, spelling out neighborhood rules and regulations. They also add an additional cost to home ownership with mandatory yearly, or even monthly, fees. Your real estate agent can tell you if a particular neighborhood has an HOA.
Come to Your Senses. Visit your desired neighborhood and visit often, using all your sensory powers. A seemingly peaceful neighborhood may suddenly come alive — and not in a good way — when school is out. That sewage lift station around the corner may be more fragrant in the afternoons than the early mornings. The For Sale and For Lease signs you see all around aren’t a good sign.
Finally, go with your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And vice versa. If a neighborhood gives you warm fuzzies as soon as you enter it, that’s a good thing! If it doesn’t, keep looking.