Once you've become pre-qualified for a loan to buy a home in Folsom CA, you should be ready to put your house-hunting efforts into full gear. But don't skip the important step of scouting out neighborhoods before you start your search for the perfect house.

Of course one way to get started in your neighborhood search is to get in your car and explore, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area. Get an idea about the neighborhoods by driving around and seeing which areas appeal to you. Walk around, explore, and talk to some of the residents.

A good Realtor will be very familiar with all the neighborhoods in Folsom CA area and should be able to tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of the specific neighborhoods you're eyeing.

The School District

Even if you don't have school-aged children, buying a home in a district with good schools will be in your best interest. When and if you sell the home at some point in the future, future buyers with children will likely consider good schools their top priority. And neighborhoods with good schools typically attract more buyers.

There are various sites on the web, such as www.homestore.com, in which school reports are just a few mouse clicks away. Basically all you do is enter a geographical area or zip code and it will display ratings for the school system. Also:

• Ask your realtor about information on schools in the area.
• Talk to people in the neighborhood, especially people with children.
• Standardized test scores are also available on the Internet.
• If you have children, visit the schools and take a tour. It's important that your decision isn't based purely through facts gathered online. Get a true feeling for what the school is like.

Crime Statistics

No one wants to live in a neighborhood where break-ins and burglary are the norm. There are web sites that can provide you with statistics on crime and other information pertinent to your search.

In researching a Folsom neighborhood, you must first determine your commute location. The suburbs may have lower crime statistics, but may be farther from your work. Cities may have more crime, but may have other qualities that you consider more attractive, such as convenience and cultural activities.

Use the following tips to help you learn about crime statistics in a neighborhood:

• Talk to neighbors.
• Take note if there are bars on the windows and doors of homes.
• Talk to the police or sheriff's department.
• Check for gang graffiti on walls and walkways.
• Keep in mind that if you're looking in-town, you may not be able to get away from everything you consider unappealing (such as noise and traffic). 

For complete information about the Folsom, CA real estate market including a free list of current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Folsom CA Real Estate at http://www.livinginfolsomtoday.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than happy to answer them!

Call me at 916-502-4420 or email me at anaiman@connectrealty.com.