Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale | Homes for sale in Rochester, NY, LOCAL Rochester real estate listings, market data, REALTOR® info, and high quality content updated every 15 minutes! Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:50:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-SITE-LOGO-512-x-512-1-32x32.png 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home – Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com 32 32 June Home Maintenance Checklist: 40+ Must-Do Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-home-maintenance-checklist-summer-prep/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20501 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May Home Maintenance Checklist: 30 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-home-maintenance-checklist/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20484 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> April Home Maintenance Checklist: How To Prepare Your Rochester NY Home For Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/april-home-maintenance-checklist/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20364 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> March Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your New York Home Ready for Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/march-home-maintenance-checklist/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20338 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Buy a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buy-a-house-in-new-york/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19906 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Sell a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-a-house-in-new-york/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19905 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Risks of Buying a Non-Warrantable Condo In New York: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/non-warrantable-condo/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19796 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Builders Should Know About Spec Construction Loans In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/builders-spec-construction-loans/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19795 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving To The Finger Lakes Region Of New York | Guide To Relocating To The Finger Lakes https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-to-the-finger-lakes-region/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19875 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Navigating the Numbers: The Pros and Cons of Using Online Home Value Estimators For New York Real Estate https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-online-home-value-estimators/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19794 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Role of Location in Home Valuation In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/role-of-location-home-valuation/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19768 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Lowe’s vs U-Haul: A Review of Truck Rental Companies https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/lowes-vs-uhaul/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19758 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Understanding the Importance of a Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/property-condition-disclosure-statement/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19632 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What are Delayed Showings and Negotiations in Real Estate In New York? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/delayed-showings-negotiations/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19547 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 8 Viable Tactics to Selling Your Home and Moving Out of State https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-moving-out-of-state/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19542 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Unconventional Methods for Selling a House: Thinking Outside the Box https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/unconventional-methods-for-selling-a-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19519 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Sell My House Off Market: Pros and Cons Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-house-off-market/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19503 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What is PITI and How Does It Affect Your Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-is-piti/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19498 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Set A Home Renovation Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-renovation-budget/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19490 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Co-Borrowers Credit Scores Affect A Home Purchase? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/co-borrower-credit-score/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19474 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> New Construction Final Walk-Through Checklist: Ensuring a Seamless Home Inspection https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/new-construction-final-walk-through/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19458 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Essential Tips for Pumping a Septic Tank: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pumping-a-septic-tank/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19450 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can You Submit Multiple Offers On Homes At Once – A Legal And Ethical Analysis https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/multiple-offers-on-homes-at-once/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19414 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Get Your Home Photo Ready for Real Estate Listings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-photo-ready/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19409 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Home Builder’s Warranty Cover? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-builders-warranty/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19394 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> July 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/july-2023-rochester-ny-real-estate-market-update/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19403 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Who Pays Real Estate Commission When You Buy or Sell a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-commission/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19366 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Quitclaim Deeds: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/quitclaim-deeds/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19358 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Selling a Home As Is for Cash https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-as-is-cash/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19347 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Know if My House Has Paranormal Activity https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/is-my-house-haunted/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19342 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Why Find The History of a House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/find-history-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19316 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> June 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19313 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-lawyer/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19181 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19162 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Buying a Home For The First Time https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-home-first-time/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19058 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>What Should a Buyer Look For at a Home Inspection?</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-look-for-home-inspection/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18983 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Companies That Buy Houses For Cash Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/companies-buy-houses-for-cash/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18889 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Does Home Staging Work and What is The Cost? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/does-home-staging-work/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18814 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Avoid When Getting a Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/avoid-when-getting-mortgage/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18797 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>5 Options For Replacing a Roof Reviewed</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/replacing-roof/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18771 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are Restrictive Covenants in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/restrictive-covenants/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18714 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can The Court Force The Sale of Your House in Divorce? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/court-force-sale-divorce/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18693 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Real Estate Agent vs. Broker: What&#8217;s The Difference? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-vs-broker/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18650 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Determine Square Feet In Your House For More Accurate Property Estimates https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/determine-square-feet/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18167 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 3 Things That Often Results in a Real Estate Agent Getting Sued https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-sued/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18133 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Top 5 Types Of Home Inspections Buyers Should Consider https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-types-home-inspections/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18119 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Pros And Cons Of Rent To Own Homes: What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-rent-own-homes/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18104 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Smart Things To Do Before Moving That Will Help Ease Your Transition https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-before-moving/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18084 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Become a Real Estate Agent https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/become-real-estate-agent/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18071 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Renting A House Or An Apartment: Which Is The Better Option https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-house-apartment/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17871 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The 5 Most Important Factors To Consider When Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-factors-buying-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17851 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Buyers And Sellers Need To Know About An Appraisal Gap https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/appraisal-gap/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17827 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Pros And Cons Of Renting With Roommates – What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-with-roommates/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17794 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 6 Things You Should Know About Buying Land https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-know-buying-land/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17773 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Long Should Home Sellers Wait To Respond To An Offer On Their Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-sellers-wait-respond-offer/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17745 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Buy A House With A Low Credit Score https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-buy-a-house-with-a-low-credit-score/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16819 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Things To Consider When Shipping A Car https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-to-consider-when-shipping-a-car/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16248 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Home Depot Truck Rentals: What to Know Including Pricing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-depot-truck-rentals-what-to-know-including-pricing/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16156 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 16 Things To Do Before Listing Your Home For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/16-things-to-do-before-listing-your-home-for-sale/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16138 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-home-inspection-mistakes-to-avoid/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16112 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Your Credit Score Impacts Your Ability To Buy A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-credit-score-impacts-buying-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16086 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Selling Mistakes | 7 Errors Made While Selling A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-winter-home-selling-mistakes/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16051 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Buying Mistakes | 11 Errors Made While Buying A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-home-buying-mistakes/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16013 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Address Change Form Should I Use At The Post Office? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/address-change-form-post-office/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15981 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does Contingent Status Mean in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-does-contingent-status-mean-real-estate/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15956 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> DIY Renovation Ideas For Your Backyard https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/diy-renovation-ideas-backyard/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15937 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Rent Your First Apartment Guide https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-rent-an-apartment/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15931 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Tips For Selling A Home Virtually https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-selling-a-home-virtually/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15907 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Complete Winter Storage Checklist For Your Belongings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-storage-checklist/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15885 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Waive My Home Inspection When Buying A House? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-waive-my-home-inspection/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15870 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Self Storage Companies Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-self-storage-companies/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15836 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Earnest Money and House Deposits Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/earnest-money-house-deposits-explained/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15760 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving Mistakes To Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-mistakes-to-avoid/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15568 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Mortgage Myths | Demystifying Common Home Loan Misconceptions https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-mortgage-myths/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15102 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-mistakes/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14815 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 10 Tips For Adding Appeal To Your Home This Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/10-tips-adding-appeal-to-home-this-summer/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14237 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Exploring The Merits of Smart Home Technology When Selling a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/smart-home-technology-selling-a-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13782 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Frequently Asked Questions From Home Sellers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-frequently-asked-questions-home-sellers/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2424 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First Time Home Buyer Programs In Rochester NY &#8211; Updated January 2025 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-programs/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock http://rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=580 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How New Doors &#038; Windows Can Boost Your Home Value https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-new-doors-windows-boost-your-home-value/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13643 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 5 Things To Know When Flipping Your First House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-things-to-know-when-flipping-your-first-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13574 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The Best Mortgage Options for Self Employed Borrowers? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/mortgage-options-for-self-employed-borrowers/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13450 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 10 Best Places To See Christmas Lights In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-10-best-places-see-christmas-lights-rochester-ny/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=10236 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The PROs And CONs Of Multifamily Homes? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-multifamily-homes/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13219 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Low-Cost Home Improvements Should You Make Before Selling Your Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/low-cost-home-improvements-you-should-make-before-selling-your-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13114 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 15 Things Millennial Home Buyers Look At While Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/15-things-millennial-home-buyers-look-at-while-buying-a-house/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13028 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-does-a-fence-increase-the-value-of-your-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12995 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Simple &#038; Low Cost Fixes To Make Your Home More Appealing To Buyers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-simple-and-low-cost-fixes-to-make-your-home-more-appealing-to-buyers/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12779 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Improve A Homes Curb Appeal In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-improve-a-homes-curb-appeal-rochester-ny/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12665 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 7 Ways to Create an Energy-Efficient Home While Conserving Your Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/7-ways-create-an-energy-efficient-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12633 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Hiring Movers Vs. Moving Yourself | The PROs &#038; CONs Of Each https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/hiring-movers-vs-moving-yourself/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12592 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should You Pay Off Student Loans Before Purchasing a Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pay-off-student-loans-before-purchasing-a-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12531 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Build A New Home Or Buy An Existing Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-build-a-new-home-or-buy-an-existing-home/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2497 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Buying A Condo Vs. Renting A Condo | What Are The PROs &#038; CONs? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-a-condo-vs-renting-a-condo/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12402 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 9 Money Saving Moving Tips | How To Cut Costs When Moving https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/9-money-saving-moving-tips/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12341 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Create a Proper Home Maintenance Checklist https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-create-a-proper-home-maintenance-checklist/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12300 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Tips For Tenant Screening | How To Weed Out Bad Tenant Applicants https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-for-tenant-screening/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12291 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Social Media Blogs For Real Estate From 2017 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-social-media-blogs-2017/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12045 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Home Improvement Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Remodeling https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-home-improvement-blogs-2017/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12044 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Mortgage Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Financing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-mortgage-blogs-2017/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:20 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12043 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home[/caption] Whether comparing people, homes, cars, or neighborhoods, each and every one is going to be different.  When purchasing a home there are many things that should be considered.  Everything from how much to spend on a home, to the process of selecting the "right" real estate agent, and everything in between. A common question that is fielded by real estate professionals is, "how is the neighborhood?"  A great real estate agent should be able to provide information and/or resources to neighborhood information for their clients. By law a real estate agent cannot answer the question, "how is the neighborhood." Every person will have their own analysis and outlook on specific areas and while a real estate agent cannot answer this question, here are some tips for you to help choose the right neighborhood! Schools Whether you have children, expecting a child, or neither, the local school district is generally an important thing to consider when buying a home.  The school district often times can impact the ease and timeliness of a future sale.  Most buyers are not looking to move before they buy the home, however, they should be aware of the local school district. There are several ways to get the information on a local school district.  You can always ask your real estate agent to provide some information about the local schools and they should at the very least be able to provide general information.  Another great way to find out about a local school district is by calling the school district main office.  In most cases, the district is happy to either e-mail or direct mail information.  Additionally, many districts offer the information on their website, and will direct the consumer there. In the internet society that we live in today, this is always an option as well to finding information on the local school districts.  Keep in mind the best information is normally going to be direct from the district.  Greatschools.org offers some great information on each and every school (elementary, middle, high school, etc.) within a specific district. Local Business & Shopping Drive to a nearby "strip-mall" or shopping plaza and see what is happening.  Are there lots of vacant stores?  Are the stores thriving with business?  The local businesses and shops can often indicate how the neighborhood is.  Business owners in most cases want to be in a community where there is support and pride from the local residents.  Contact the owner at a local, "mom and pop" business to ask them their opinion on the community.  If they've been in business for many years, they have likely seen the ups and the downs of the neighborhood.  Visit the communities local Chamber of Commerce for quality information about the local businesses and their representatives. Public Transportation  If an alternative to personal transportation is desired, the communities access to public transportation can be important when selecting a neighborhood.  How close is the nearest bus line?  How often are pick-ups and/or drop-offs made?  How expensive is the transportation?  If public transportation is desired, these are all things that should be analyzed when choosing a neighborhood to buy a home in.  Call or visit the local transit authorities website to get detailed information about the public transportation. Convenience To many consumers "convenience is king."  In many cases, this is also a critical component to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Convenience to a buyer can have many different meanings.  A common factor when a buyer determines the convenience of a neighborhood is the proximity of major expressways and highways.  If the home is located in a neighborhood that is close to the major expressways, this can be a "plus" to one buyer and a negative to another.  Another common convenience factor is the proximity of the local grocery store, corner store, or gym/fitness center. Suburban VS. Rural Simply stated, the proximity to other neighbors is often a factor in deciding a neighborhood.  Some buyers enjoy having neighbors close while some don't. Crime Statistics Just like school information, crime statistics, are an important factor to choosing the right neighborhood when buying a home.  The internet is a good resource for crime information just like local school information.  Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo! and searching for a city/town "crime statistics by neighborhood" will yield some good information.  For example, "Rochester crime statistics by neighborhood," will bring up several quality websites, including information directly from the City of Rochester's website. The best way to find out detailed information about the neighborhood crime statistics, is to call the local police department.  The police department should have information about specific neighborhoods, information regarding crime prevention, community policing, and more. Taxes Tax rates vary from town to town.  Tax information and rates are available to the public.  Also, information regarding specific properties assessed value (Different than appraised and market value) is public knowledge.  By calling the local municipality or accessing their website, this information should be able to be obtained. Always keep in mind, a great real estate agent should be able to find out what the current tax rates are.  Additionally, they should be able to find out what the tax rate pattern has been over the past several years.  A trend (increase or decrease) in the tax rate can effect monthly payments, so by having an idea what the rates have done over the past several years can possibly help predict what they will do in the future. Future Development Whether the plan is to stay in a home for 2 years or 20 years, the future development of a neighborhood, is important.  The development of a neighborhood can impact the resale of a home, both in positive and negative ways.  The future of a neighborhood also can have an impact on a family or a soon to be family.  Are there discussions or proposals for an expansion of the local school district?  A new library?  A new community center?  Between the local municipality and real estate agent, information regarding future development should be readily available. Take a Look for Yourself The above 8 tips should be very helpful while choosing the right neighborhood to buy a home in.  The school statistics, crime reports, future development plans, and other tips are great, however, there is nothing like seeing the potential neighborhood for yourself. If unfamiliar with a neighborhood, drive or walk around the neighborhood.  Do this at different times of the day (morning, mid-day, evening).  Take this time to check out the neighboring homes.  Do they appear to be well kept?  Are local residents walking their dog?  Stop and ask the neighbors their opinion and thoughts on the neighborhood.  Sometimes the best way to determine whether a neighborhood is right or not is to see it with your own eyes! Choosing a neighborhood when buying a home is very important and there are many things to consider.  Every buyer will have their own opinion and thoughts on a neighborhood.  We hope these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  What other tips would you give to a buyer that is choosing the right neighborhood? Resources and Tools to Find Information Regarding Neighborhoods There are many great neighborhoods in and around Rochester, NY!  Do you have questions about a specific neighborhood in Greater Rochester, NY?  Contact us and we'd be happy to help get you the information that you are looking for!
About the authors:  The above article 9 Tips to Help Choose the Right Neighborhood When Buying a Home was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With almost 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]>