Ali Ata: Choosing a Neighborhood Worth Investing In

When investing in real estate, you should pay more attention to the neighborhood than the house itself. This is something real estate investment expert Ali Ata reminds his clients all the time. A house can always be repaired or made to look better, but there is nothing you can do about a dysfunctional or inconvenient neighborhood.

Here are three factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood:

1. Crime rate

Everyone wants a safe neighborhood. You wouldn’t want to live in an area where you’re always in fear for your loved ones or property. If you’re looking to buy a property you can sell later on, one that’s in a safe neighborhood is likely to fetch a higher price and is more attractive to buyers. When researching neighborhoods, you can check crime statistics from local law enforcement agencies. You can also check for nearby sex offenders with the National Sex Offender Registry.

2. Lifestyle

Places that are conducive to comfortable and convenient living definitely make for better investments. Look for areas that are close to shops and restaurants, as well as parks, trails, and open spaces where people can unwind. Check out neighborhood Facebook groups for insider information or browse websites that provide information about neighborhoods and their amenities.

3. Good schools

This is especially crucial if you have kids. But even if you don’t, buying a home close to good schools is still a good call. This is because these houses are attractive to families with kids. You can check by going to the local school district’s website and obtaining the average report card of nearby schools. Other factors, such as demographics and graduation rates, are also available in these resources.

Ali Ata says your choice of neighborhood will have a major effect on how good an investment a property turns out to be. This would entail additional effort, of course, but the extra time and energy you spend researching your investment will be more than worth it.