There are many things you should consider when you start the home-buying process. You may be looking for a home that has an open-concept layout, or one with a specific number of bedrooms.
You may not think much about the school district where you are moving if you don’t have kids or your children are still infants.
This article will explain why buying a house based on a school district is a smart move.
How important is good school hunting when home buying
If you are house hunting, it is important to look for a home in neighborhoods within great school districts whether you have children or not.
Home buyers can increase their property’s value by choosing a great school district. These are just a few of the reasons that school districts matter.
Good education
The best reason to purchase a home that is located in a school district is for your children to receive a quality education. You will get the best education possible in a good school district.
This is particularly important for children with special learning needs. Children who require extra enrichment and learning opportunities may find it easier to get into certain districts.
Stability in Home Value
Even if you don’t have children, it can increase the value of your home over time by living In a neighborhood near a great school district. This is because homes with better school ratings have higher home values.
While homes will fluctuate in value, a great school district can make a big difference in a difficult market.
Greater Resale Potential
Finally, a great school district can help increase the resale price of your home. Although you may consider a house your “dream home”, and intend to stay there for the rest of your life, plans can change. You want the house to have a high resale price if you are in a situation where you will need to move within a few years.
If you live in an area in a great school district, there is a greater demand for your home. This means that your home will not only be more valuable, but it could also be on the market for less time.
There are always downsides to any decision. Buying based on a school district is no exception. You can expect to pay higher property taxes and a higher price overall if you live in an exceptional school area.
How to tell if a school is good for you and your kids
Home buyers want more than a house in a new area. They also want a community. A community’s character is shaped by its schools.
Different schools offer unique features that are attractive to different families. These are some things to remember when looking for a house in a school district.
Do Your Research
Researching school districts is important at the start of your home-buying journey. It’s not a good idea to love a home only to discover it’s in a poor-rated area.
To find out more statistics and data about specific school districts, you can use the Department of Education database. This will allow you to determine the school’s quality and view information such as test scores and rankings.
Visit the Website of The School or District
Once you have a clear idea of the area you want to live in, you can start to look at the website for your local school district. It will allow you to see what resources the district offers, what curriculum is used, and what extracurricular activities are available.
Visit the School in Person
Although visiting the district’s website is helpful, there is only so much information you can get. It’s a good idea, however, to visit the school in person.
It is a great idea to visit the school in person to get a feel for the area, commute times, and location near your community. You can also see the school’s facilities and meet the principal, and teachers, or learn more about the school’s operation.
How to Find Homes for Sale Based on School District
You can ask your local real estate agent to help search for schools if you are just beginning your home-buying journey. After you have found the homes that you like, you can start looking for schools in nearby areas.
You can also see the GreatSchools.org rankings of these schools. GreatSchools.org ranks schools according to student progress, equity, and test scores.
These are just a few of the other online resources that you can access:
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Neighborhood Scout (you might need to pay a fee in order to access certain information).
- School Digger
- Project Appleseed
What other schooling options do I have if I don’t love a particular school district?
There are many other options if you don’t like the school options available in your neighborhood. You can also consider private schools if you have the finances. A charter school is another option, but there are no guarantees that your children will be accepted.
Homeschooling is an option if you are up for the challenge.
The bottom line
It doesn’t matter if you have children or not, it is worth looking at homes for sale that is located in a particular school district. Your home’s value and the neighborhood will be impacted by a great school district.