It happens all too often– a client will step into our office with an exacting list of details, features, and amenities they are looking for in their next home. If they could just hit all those items on their list, they would be happy– they know it! However, their list tends to leave out one of the most important factors to consider in any home search: the neighborhood.

 

When searching for the perfect home, it is essential to realize that “home” is more than just a house. It is a feeling, an energy that surrounds you and fills you with a sense of ease, comfort, and security. It confirms that you are where you are meant to be – and everything around you simply “fits” with who you are at your core. But to find that perfect home, you need to do more than just search for the right property. You need to find the right neighborhood. The right community can make all the difference in your overall happiness and well-being. Finding a place where you feel like you belong and can put down roots and build a life is vital.

 

When you are ready to start your home search, it is important to think beyond individual properties. Instead, take a holistic approach and focus on finding the right neighborhood for your needs. After all, your home is more than just four walls and a roof—it is also about the community that you will be a part of. 

 

To find the perfect neighborhood, consider your lifestyle and what you are looking for in your soon-to-be community. Are you seeking a quiet, family-friendly area or a lively, urban environment? Do you want to be able to pop next door to borrow sugar from your neighbor, or are you more partial to having some space between your house and the next? Perhaps you would prefer your home to be somewhere remote, but not so remote that hopping in the car for a drive into town becomes a day-long escapade. These are all things to consider in any thorough home search.

 

Once you've determined what type of neighborhood you're interested in, you can start searching for your new home. When looking within a neighborhood, pay attention to things like the architecture of the homes, the surrounding noise level, and the atmosphere as a whole. If you take the time to find the right neighborhood, you will be one step closer to finding your dream home.

 

And remember, the neighborhood you choose will have a big impact on your quality of life, so it is important to take the time to find one that meets your needs. The following are a few things to keep in mind when searching for your ideal neighborhood.

A thorough neighborhood search is crucial when it comes to finding the right location for your new home. First, you will want to consider your ideal lifestyle. Do you need to be close to conveniences like shops and restaurants? Perhaps you have a family of your own and want to raise your kids in a neighborhood where they will have plenty of playmates. Or if you are soon to or have recently retired, maybe you want to live within a retirement community. 

 

Back to the children for a moment; say you have school-aged children and you want to make sure the neighborhood in which you are searching for homes is known for its reputable schools. Do some digging into the areas school district to ensure you will feel good about your child(ren)’s education. 

 

Finally, take into account the commute. If you work from home, such a factor will not need to be taken into consideration. However, if you commute to work and would prefer your commute to be a short one, you may want to look for a neighborhood that is located more closely to your job. By taking all of these factors into consideration, you will be sure to choose the perfect neighborhood for your new home.

Make sure to be as specific as possible when searching for your ideal neighborhood. For example, let us say you are looking to purchase a new home in eastern Long Island. But not just anywhere in Suffolk County– you want to live lavishly in the Hamptons. Searching for homes for sale in the Hamptons is going to turn up a broad, generalized batch of homes compared to if you were to narrow down your search by a particular neighborhood or, as locals would say, “village.” The Hampton village you choose to search for a home in should depend on your unique lifestyle and tastes. For example, Sag Harbor is a quiet and charming village on the bay with a quaint town consisting of an Indie movie theatre, a yoga studio, and restaurants that are open year-round. In comparison, Easthampton is the quintessential mental image of “the Hamptons”– where the who's who of the media and fashion industries flaunt their beachside homes and enjoy luxury shopping and dining experiences. 
 
So, depending on your wants and needs, narrowing down your search of “homes for sale in the Hamptons” to “East Hampton homes for sale” or “Sag Harbor homes for sale” is a much better way to reflect the type of lifestyle you want to live come move-in day. Conducting a specific neighborhood search allows you to spend more time looking at homes that align with your ideal lifestyle and needs and less time on homes that do not.

So when it comes time to search for your next home, be sure to search for the perfect neighborhood to go with it. It may take a little extra thought and effort at the preliminary stage of your search, but it will be well worth it in the end.

The Schiaffino Team has extensive expertise in the Hamptons real estate market and the industry knowledge to help you locate the perfect neighborhood and home for you. If you're searching for a property for sale in The Hamptons, contact us today to experience the unmatched service and guidance provided by one of the top real estate agents in The Hamptons.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock}