CONSIDERING BUILDING A HOME? SELECTING THE RIGHT COMMUNITY FOR YOUR FAMILY

Selecting a Community in Michigan
Building a home is building a command center for your family. Selecting a community, floor plans and costs are most likely front and center on your plate. A more subtle but important side is selecting the right community. The slices of the community pie include the neighborhood, schools, and parks and recreation.  

The Neighborhood: It doesn’t take a good fence to make a good neighbor. 
Selecting a community starts with your neighborhood. You’ll be sharing more than a street. Direct neighbors at the four sides of your home share a property line. Can you see yourself splitting a load of mulch? Or coming to a mutual decision about a teetering tree? 

Even non-adjacent neighbors should be considered when building a home. Their yard cleanliness will be evident to you and your guests. Consider the impact on the re-sale value of your home. What about safety when selecting a community?  A neighborhood watch program and drivers who maintain the speed limit will give you peace of mind. 

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The Schools: Whether you have kids or not, the school district impacts you. 
For families with children choosing public education, proximity to the school shortens a child’s twice daily commute. Research the student to teacher ratio, test scores, and graduation rates. Weigh the personality of your child. Some shine with the personal attention of a smaller school and others benefit from the expanded curriculum of a large school.

Families choosing private schools for their children and those without children are not off the hook. Everyone building a home will pay taxes towards public education. When one of the first items on the MLS is the school district, look for one that increases your property value when building a home.

  

The Parks and Recreation: It’s not just a television show.
In the full span of Michigan weather, parks offer opportunities for physical fitness and outdoor hobbies. Perhaps you enjoy running in the park with zero gas required to get there. If you’re a foodie, look for easy access to restaurants. A creative mind might value proximity to cultural events and museums. 

A great place to start is mapping websites. Type in the address of your potential new home and then click search nearby to enter the items on your community wish list. Before building a home, visit Echelon Homes to see communities handpicked for families. 

Article by: Jennifer Elkow