Property search can be a dreary process, but one that is necessary under many instances. The success of such a process usually depends on a host of factors such as whether or not you use a realtor, having an idea of what you are looking for, and matching your expected sale price with a neighborhood that has homes costing around the same price. One element you may forget to consider is the presence of public schools near your potential home. It is important to look out for this because:
School Speed Zones
Most public schools will have speed restrictions on the streets near the school for the sake of the students’ safety. Though this is a noble thing, it can also increase the amount of time it takes you to get to your home. If you are interested in buying a house that is close to a public school, you could consider figuring out if there is a way to bypass the speed zones, and see if this reduces the amount of time it takes you to get home.
The Issue of Traffic
You also need to take into account the traffic buildup that can be attributed to the presence of the public school. Carpooling, the presence of bus stops and low speed limits can all contribute to traffic snarl-ups particularly during the weekdays. As a prospective buyer, it may be a good idea to identify how bad the situation is, and whether you can tolerate it or not. If the tailbacks are usually very severe, it might be wise to avoid buying that particular house since you would be subjected to hours of traffic practically every day.
Bus Stops
If there is a public school in the vicinity of the home you are about to buy, then you can be sure that there will be several bus stops in the area. This can be a double-edged sword. For one, it means that your kids will be dropped closer to home, thus making them safer. On the other hand, the presence of several bus stops on roads to and from your neighborhood will contribute to traffic snarl-ups. To find out how severe this problem is, you can consult a local realtor for more information. You can also get information from other sources such as the news and even by talking to the parents who take their children to the public school.
These are just some of the effects of having a public school close to your home. If you are in the market for a home, you might want one that is not so close to a public school for all the reasons above and more. The easiest way to finding a home with this and other requirements is by letting a realtor do the work for you. They can go through their real estate database and filter the results based on what you want. This results in a quicker way to find your dream home during the property search process.
