How do you know if property prices will rise or fall in an area? (buying my first home)?

Question

Is it rude to knock on doors and ask about the area? (noisy kids, anti-social behavior, traffic etc.)
And how do I check the burglary/crime rates?

Answer 1

You don't! You can move in one day while there are good neighbors, and then soon as you move in, some "undesirable individual" could move into another house that has just become available! You can check with local Realtors, but they aren't supposed to ethically give you that type of info, however, ethics can be a very "slippery slope" with some of them. Chances are that higher the cost of the houses are in an area, and it seems like a well maintained neighborhood, that they will rise or stay constant.
The demographics of a neighborhood can be discovered mainly and most quickly by word of mouth, but more accurately over a period of time by checking out the local news, driving through potential neighborhoods during different times of the day, and various days of the week. You might want to check out some foreclosed houses for sale, in an area of interest! GL!!

Answer 2

As others have stated, it's hard to know what property values will do - especially with the current mortgage crisis we have right now.

As a practical matter, I don't think it's rude to ask about the area from the neighbors. Just tell them you're considering buying a home in the area and would like to know a little more about it before making a decision.

As for the crime rate, check if the local police department has a website where you can type in an address and find that information. Here in Indy, you can go to the police department website, type in an address or cross street and look up information for up to the last 30 days. It doesn't list personal information on the suspect or victims, but if you know if there's been, say, a spat of larceny attempts two blocks or so away from the house, you might want to think about what you'll need to do to protect yourself.

Answer 3

You don't. What you can do is look at this area and see if you want to live there or if you are willing to live there - just because it is cheap. Chances are that if you want to live there because it is quiet, spacious, nice neighborhood, nice schools or whatever other reasons (besides cost) then others will too, which means that it will not fall *compared to other areas*. That is, if everywhere prices fall, it is likely that this area will not be worse than the average. If it is cheap and it is nice, then you have found a gem.
However, if you willing to live there just because it is cheap, then if the average prices fall, you will be hurt much more.

Answer 4

Drive around the area at night and weekends,you'll get a better idea of what anti social behaviour etc goes on ! And don't be afraid to ask around try asking local shopkeepers they generally have good knowledge!

Answer 5

Buy a house you like and can afford.

Check crime logs to gauge neighborhood crime, no-one you ask will say they live in a "bad" neighbourhood until it's REALLY bad (like everyone's kids are always "smarter than average", LOL!)

Don't buy the best-looking or worst-looking house in any place.

If you find a house you think you like, go park outside it from 7AM to 9AM or from 4PM to 6PM...watch the traffic.

Answer 6

you should look at the past years if the prices are going up really fast now for a period of time it should stop for two years or more and then rise up again like in Iran the prices are rising very fast now and it would stop in a month

Answer 7

Maybe you should bide your time, there could be a big crash in the next year or two, these house prices cannot stay at the level they are at and there are some unhealthy rumblings within the economy (worldwide).

Answer 8

look to see how many houses in the same street have burglar alarms this is normally a good sign.Check out schools speak to headmaster