House Hunting by Schools: 4 Facts to Keep in Mind
Choosing the right school district for your children is a huge decision, and it should be a major factor in deciding where to buy a house.
House hunting by school districts isn’t just a good way to ensure that your kids get a great education, it can also preserve your home’s value and, when the time comes, help you to sell your home faster. South Florida has many amazing schools, and plenty of nearby homes your family will love. While school districts should be at the top of your list when searching for your dream home, there are also certain things to keep in mind when buying a house in a top-notch district.
Keep these four things in mind while searching for a home in the right school district:
- Better school districts mean higher priced homes
The sticker price of homes in top school districts will probably be higher. After all, the No. 1 determining factor when it comes to maintaining and increasing your property value is the location of your home. And, the quality of the school district plays a huge part in attributing value to the location. Although you may end up paying more up front, it will pay off in the long run if you decide to sell later on.
- Private versus public
Some locations might have poorly rated public schools but offer a great private school, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Be sure to do a cost analysis of the private and public-school options in the area before deciding on your future home. Combining the private school tuition and a nearby lower-priced home could have you coming out ahead financially comparted to buying the pricier home, though that is not commonly the case in Miami.
- Graduation rates and test scores
Make sure you do your research and look at all of the local school district’s graduation rates and test scores to get an overall idea of which schools are encouraging success and achievement in their students. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s a good idea to visit the schools in person. Meeting the teachers, principals, and administration staff will give you a good chance to ask any questions and get a good feel for each school.
- Consider the commute
Living close to the right schools should be one of your top priorities, but make sure you factor in its proximity to your workplace and other places you will frequent. The cost and time of commuting back and forth could outweigh the benefits of being near a great school further south, so it may be worthwhile to invest in a property closer to where you’ll be spending most of your time.
A home near desirable schools is a great investment and will most likely continue to add value to your home while giving an educational advantage to your children. If you’re looking for your dream house, let us help. At Drew Kern Real Estate, we are experts in Miami’s real estate market. Give us a call at 305-329-7744 if you have any questions.
