My New Blog

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL PERFORMANCE ON YOUR HOME'S VALUE

The popularity of home improvement and decorating shows is evident. And while some of these shows give us a peek into “how the other half lives”, they all seem to reflect a growing interest in all things domestic.

Although this trend is healthy, experts advise buyers to look beyond the surface of paint colors and unique lighting fixtures to what’s really important in order to get the most enjoyment from your home purchase. In other words, will the house be a good fit for your lifestyle?

Instead of limiting your focus to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a home has, think of the way a home will accommodate your overall LIFESTYLE by making a list of LIFESTYLE statistics, since these are factors that will ultimately determine your long-term satisfaction with your home purchase.

SCHOOLS ARE IMPORTANT EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NO CHILDREN IN THE HOME 

You may have children who are at school age and you wish to prioritize their education. You already realize the critical nature of a good school system when it comes to the futures of your children, but did you know that school performance also drives area home values? Good schools are so important that they impact the potential appreciation of your home, since you can bet that other parents will have similar concerns when they go to purchase a home.

THE LINK BETWEEN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE AND CRIME RATES

Having a good school system as a community anchor does more than produce a good education for the youth who live there. Studies have shown that there is a clear correlation between high truancy rates and high area crime rates.

And it’s only logical that school performance also influences area crime rates, since a strong school system keeps kids motivated and productive. Kids and young adults without directed activities have a tendency to get into trouble and, as a result, area crime rates soar.

GEORGIA EDUCATION, CRIME, AND SEX OFFENDER RESOURCES

· You can check Georgia crime statistics online at http://www.ganet.org/gbi/disclucr.html

· You can check the Georgia Sex Offender Registry online at http://services.georgia.gov/gbi/gbisor/disclaim.html

The homes shown on our website are not limited to those we personally have listed.  In fact, you can use our "Search Area Homes" tab to search for any listed property in the Georgia Multiple Listing Service.  The map feature is convenient, but not for everyone.  You may be one of those buyers who knows exactly what you want and where you want it--in that case, try the search by zip code or subdivision features.  It will help narrow your search to only those homes on which you'd really like to spend your time.

Remember that Georgia real estate law gives BUYERS the rights to equal representation as sellers.  However, bear in mind that you should have YOUR agent show you the homes you want to see, so that you'll have your own representation throughout the process.