Back-to-School: The Right Home in the Right Neighborhood

Whether youre in the full swing of back-to-school activities or dont have any kids living in your home, dont underestimate the importance of school district boundaries when it comes to how it will impact your homes value with potential buyers. A recent survey by Realtor.com showed that school district boundaries influence purchasing decisions for more than 60% of home buyers, many of whom are willing to give up other amenities to live within the district of their choice.

Finding a great home in northwest Houston, Cypress, or Katy, TX can mean more living space for your family, friendly new neighbors, and access to amazing schools. So how do you get started finding the house thats perfect for your family and near the right schools?

• Determine your familys must haves. Are you planning to have more children? Or will one be graduating soon? Do you need office space to work from home? Do the kids need a big backyard to practice sports? Will you need more bathroom space? Jot down the most important features your family needs so you know what to focus on.
• Search our website at TheRhoadesTeam.com for homes that meet your criteria within a particular neighborhood. Click on an individual property and scroll down to Schools to see what campuses the home is zoned to, along with the student-teacher ratio and the GreatSchools rating. You can also search https://www.har.com/school/ for even more detailed information on Houston and Katy, TX area schools.
• Drive the neighborhood. Are there parks or playgrounds nearby? Do you have easy access to amenities that are important to your family, like religious or after-school activities? Is it quiet or do you prefer the hum of city life? Observe the neighborhood (at different times of the day and night, ideally) to see if it matches your familys lifestyle.
• Develop a list of questions to ask your real estate professional. The Rhoades Team are neighborhood experts in the Katy, TX and northwest Houston real estate markets and can help guide you to a home with the features that matter most to your family.

If youre ready to get started on finding the right home near a great school, or if youre curious about how your local school district boundaries have affected your homes value, give The Rhoades Team a call at (713) 515-3463, and well help you get started.