You might be looking for a new home in a better school district. Or it might not be an issue for your family.
Either way, schools should play a big part in any homebuying decision. These days, parents and children aren’t the only ones who may feel the lasting effects of a school’s reputation. Your home’s value may feel it, too.
Before making a major investment in a new home, take a look at these great resources available to help home shoppers with or without children.
On GreatSchools.org and Education.com, you can search and compare school ratings, stats and much more. Even if school districts are not important to you right now, they may be important later or be a critical factor for the family that moves in after you.
For those of you who rely heavily on a school’s reputation when it comes down to a home buying decision, Project Appleseed has good advice on how to evaluate and choose a school based on child, family and school characteristics. The website can help you find information on individual schools and gives recommendations from the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Here are NAESP’s questions to ask when choosing a school:
- Have you read the school district’s annual report?
- What is the school’s discipline policy?
- What services are available at the school?
- What is the school’s safety policy?
- Is there an active parent organization?
When searching for your new home, be sure to ask homebuilders and your Realtor for information on the reputation of schools in and around your areas of interest. Both can be great resources when making a home purchasing decision.
