So you have decided to move to the South Hill but don’t know how to choose which neighborhood is right for you. This video should spark some critical questions you should ask yourself because what you think you might want might not be what you need. Remember, you are not searching for just a home; it’s a lifestyle.
If we haven’t met before, I am Desiree Renshaw, a top producing Realtor in Spokane, Wa. specializing in helping clients see what they sometimes cannot see for themselves. Make sure to read to the end, where I walk you through the process I use with my buyers to find the right home in the right location!
Number 1
What style of home are you drawn to? Old world charm, new construction, a 1950’s rancher? Specific neighborhoods are more abundant in each style. Does the type of home you think you want actually work for the stage of life you are in? For example, do you want a garage? Many older homes may not have a garage at all, or if they do, it is detached. Is that okay during the winter months? Do you need to eliminate stairs or have a main floor bedroom? Or maybe you are at the stage where you need three bedrooms on one floor because of kids or a baby on the way. The stairs and bedroom layout can determine which home style would work better for you and can often sway your neighborhood choice.
Number 2
Price. As I have mentioned in previous videos, the South Hill itself is more expensive than other locations in Spokane. However, some neighborhoods cost substantially more than others. What would drive you to pay the top dollar? Can you find what you want in a home in a more affordable area? Or, most importantly, what can you afford?
Number 3
Schools- private, public, charter? There are so many excellent choices when it comes to schools. Will the school district determine where you send your child? Is it essential for the school to be within minutes of your home? Maybe you don’t have kids but want a particular school district for resale value?
Number 4
Commute. What kind of commute is relevant to your life? Do you still commute to work? How about the gym? Do you want your home to be around the corner from shopping and restaurants, or have the high drive trails directly out your front door? Generally speaking, everything is close on the hill. But some neighborhoods have better access to main roads, and the lower south hill is a straight 5-minute drive to the hospitals. Define what a short commute means to you.
Number 5
As promised, Deal Breakers. When working with buyers, it is critical to determine their top 5 deal-breakers. We revisit that list for every possible home. I used this process for myself when my husband and I were looking for our home. We knew we wanted to be near manito park, to have a primary ensuite, a two-car garage, and a yard large enough for a horseshoe pit. We had to be patient, but we found it.
Now that you have decided to move to Spokane..
Watch this video to learn how to meet mom friends in Spokane, WA.
Remember to read the local paper, do some online research for school and crime ratings, pop into the neighborhood grocery store or coffee shop, drive around day and night and make your personal decision on what you think of the area.
I hope you feel inspired and can now thoroughly enjoy the buying process. Welcome to the South Hill! If I can help you with your next step, reach out through therenshawgroup.com.