Visiting a neighborhood in person and talking with residents, she says, can often give a much clearer picture of the neighborhood than area statistics. Neighbors will often give honest opinions about noise levels, neighborhood safety and any other issues that may exist.
"When I'm dealing with a condo association, I usually stand outside the building and wait to chat with somebody who's just walking around," Texas broker Kimbrough Gray told the site. "But I've had clients who will go around and knock on doors."
Umberger says that it's also important to check out an area at various times of day. Some neighborhoods which seemed quiet and appealing may become hectic around rush hour, or seem much less inviting at night.
A poor choice of neighborhoods may be the reason that many people move so often. Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the average American will more more than 11 times in their lifetime.
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