Location is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a new home. Weigh the pros and cons of living within the city limits or in an outlying area. Compare the neighborhoods as carefully as you compare houses. Consider practical aspects such as time and distance to work, schools and shopping, and the availability of transportation. Make personal observations, but also consult your registered builder, local government, friends, and, if possible, people in the neighborhood.

As you explore each home, use the following checklist to determine whether the neighborhood suits your needs.

1. Shopping - Are there adequate shopping facilities nearby?
2. Neighbors - Are the neighbors likely to have tastes and lifestyles that are compatible with yours?
3. Police and fire protection - Are police and fire protection adequate?
4. Medical facilities - Is there a hospital or medical center nearby?
5. Schools and daycare - Do the schools meet your children’s needs? Are they in a location that is convenient? Are convenient day-care facilities available?
6. Traffic - Are the streets quiet enough? Does the speed limit suit you? If you have children, will they be safe from traffic hazards?
7. Parking - Are there adequate parking and garage facilities?
8. Trash and garbage collection - Is trash and garbage collection adequate?
9. Recreation - Are there suitable parks and facilities nearby?
10. Places of worship - Are appropriate places of worship available and convenient?
11. Privacy - Do the lots and houses offer enough privacy?
12. Water - Does the community have a reliable source of drinking water with adequate capacity to meet present and future needs?
13. Sanitation facilities - Is the sewer system or septic tank adequate and reliable? Does it meet present and anticipated future needs?
14. Landscaping - Is the land well drained? Has proper landscaping been done to prevent erosion? Is the landscaping attractive and likely to enhance the value of your home?
15. Taxes - Are the property tax rates reasonable? Is the tax rate or the value of your house likely to change enough to cause a substantial increase in your tax payment?
16. Assessments - Are there special assessments covering a portion of the lot, street or community/development costs which will force you to pay added monthly charges for a specified number of years?
17. Nuisances - Are there nearby sources of noise, smoke, soot, dust or odors that will degrade your housing environment or endanger members of your household? Are there any development plans under consideration that could substantially change the community?
18. Hazards - Is flooding of nearby streams a potential problem? Are there large gas or oil tanks or other potentially hazardous sites in the neighborhood?