Buyers - Choosing the Right Community

Probably the most important decision you will make when buying a home is choosing the right neighborhood.  Calgary, with over one million people, has many diverse and unique communities.  We have older more established neighborhoods with mature landscaping, trendy “new” revitalized neighborhoods, lake communities, communities that border large parks like fish creek park and of course brand new communities.  One person’s idea of the perfect neighborhood can and will vary greatly from the next persons.

Each buyer must create a set of priorities, which in turn, will help to narrow down the choices.  For example, if you have school aged children and do not want them to bus to school, that decision alone will eliminate many of the new suburb communities.  Or, perhaps you want to be within walking distance of a C-Train station or like the privacy afforded by mature landscaping in an older community.

Always remember that when buying a home, it is part of a larger community and that community will play an important role in your family’s lifestyle.  Some neighborhoods are geared toward young families, others toward older adults and still others to singles or to an eclectic mix of residents.  Family income is another determining factor in which neighborhood you choose, as this will largely be reflected in property values.

Once you have narrowed your choice of possibilities, if you are unfamiliar with the communities, it is a good idea to visit them on the weekends when residents are out and about.  Walk around and talk people, ask their opinions of the community, you may be surprised by some of the answers you get.  For example, many young people with small children think it’s a great idea to buy a brand new home in a brand new community.  However, if you talk to them after living there for a year, they want out.  They complain about the constant construction noise and traffic, the lack of amenities or the neighbors’ who refuses to landscape their yards.

If there are vacant tracts of land where you plan to buy, check with the municipality to see the zoning and proposed use.  The land may be slated for future retail to service the community or perhaps a large condo project, neither of which may be desirable to you.  Also, never believe what a new home sales rep has to offer in this regard.  Intentional or not, many home buyers have been lead astray by these individuals with little or no recourse.  I once had a client that was looking at a view lot for sale by one of the larger Calgary home builders.  However, about 100 meters behind the lot on some provincial green space was located a telephone pole which was partially obstructing the view.  The builder’s representative assured us that the pole was coming down; the city of Calgary however, had a very different view.  That was in 1999, the pole is still there today.  If something is making you uncomfortable near the home you wish to purchase, ask your Realtor and do your homework.

My last piece of advice on this topic is choosing the right location within your community of choice.  First, consider your immediate neighbors.  Are their houses well maintained? Do they have pets?  It is a good idea to knock on their doors and tell them that you are considering purchasing the home next door.  Again, you may be surprised by the conversation.  I’ve had more than one client move because they could no longer live beside their neighbor and for good reason.  Do you like lots of sunshine?  If so, never buy a house where the principal rooms face east.  Want to back to a school yard?  Better get used to hearing evening adult softball games all spring and summer.  Think about how a particular location will enhance or detract from your enjoyment of the home.  Remember, most anything can be changed about a property through décor changes, renovations and/or additions, however, you cannot change the location.

When you work with us to purchase your next home, we ensure that you are considering all that a community has or doesn’t have to offer, rather than just thinking about those new hardwood floors and granite countertops.