Buying a home in Reno? Tips in finding the right area for you

Going on a house hunting safari requires some planning.  If you are unsure on where to start, this post is for you, hope it helps:

• Good schools--Check test scores available at the district office.

• Low crime rate--Check with the police department's public affairs officer for crime statistics by neighborhood and block.

• Pride of ownership--check to see that all the homes around it are well kept.

• Extras--look for parks, wide streets, tall trees, cul-de-sacs, close to schools and shopping.

• Check out public facilities.  Look for libraries, fire stations, police departments, and hospitals as well as malls and grocery stores.  Are they convenient and well located?

• Walk the area.  Drive around, stop, park your car, and start walking.  Talk to anyone you meet.  Ask about problems in the area, about schools, about bad neighbors.

• If you're going to be driving on a thruway or freeway, wait until rush hour, then try it for yourself.  Use a watch to determine just how long it takes you. (You may be surprised!)

• You can take a notepad and map with you.  Mark the location of the house on the map and write down special features on the pad.

• Avoid looking at more than three or four houses in any one session.  After that, chances are you're just running through, not paying enough attention with the details that could make you fall in love with a place.

• If you need to see a lot of houses, take big breaks.  See three in the morning, then  stop and have lunch.  See three more, and stop and do something else.  See three more in the early evening.  Nine houses in one day is the absolute capacity of almost any prospective buyer.

* If you want to know more on tips and traps in buying a home I recommend tips and traps.