Blog > 10 Signs Your Real Estate Agent Really Knows the Neighborhood
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When working with a real estate agent, it’s crucial that they know local neighborhoods like the back of their hand. If you have questions about an area, it’s important they have the answers.
After all, you’re relying on them to guide you in one of the biggest (and most expensive) decisions of your life.
So how can you tell whether your real estate agent is a bona fide neighborhood expert?
10 signs to look for
- Your agent calls out things, big and small, that they love about the neighborhood to give you a well-rounded view of why it really is the best place to call home.
- Your real estate agent knows enough about local restaurants, bars, and hiking trails to give you an insider’s view of the neighborhood.
- How safe is the neighborhood? What are the crime rates? And is there a neighborhood watch?
- Commuting is a key factor in deciding which neighborhood to live in, so your agent should be able to tell you about important things to know—including proximity to freeways and highways, and public transit options.
- Your real estate agent should be on top of local news, city council meetings, and more to share the intel of what developments are coming in the neighborhood—and what impacts they may have.
- Your agent should ideally have already dug into the local data of schools in the neighborhood to be able to rank them by quality and performance—which will help you choose what school district is best for your family (and your future resale value).
- If you have pets, your agent should be able to tell you which neighborhoods are the most pet-friendly, and what local amenities (such as dog parks) are available for your furry family members.
- It’s a bonus if your real estate agent can tell you a little bit about the neighborhood’s history. How did the neighborhood come to be in the first place, and what year was it founded or built?
- Your agent should be able to tell you if a neighborhood does anything special for holidays or seasons, or if it hosts its own annual or biannual celebrations. If you’re expected to participate in a holiday light fight, for instance, that would be nice to know beforehand!
- Your agent should have the top neighborhood landscapers, movers, and contractors on speed dial, so you can get those details when the time comes.
When your real estate agent knows the neighborhood inside and out, it builds trust, and you’ll be more likely to rely on their recommendations. This provides more peace of mind, which will make the entire homebuying process a little less daunting.