Transportation and Amenities Time the commute. It's better to know how long, rather than how far, it is to work. Nearby stores can be lifesavers when you run out of milk at dinnertime. Property Values Research recent selling prices for houses in the neighborhood and how much houses have increased in value in the past 10 years. Ask how much property taxes have increased.
Utilities Find out what utility costs are.
Call the water, gas, cable and electric companies for rates. Utilities can add a lot to the monthly cost of a house. Traffic and Noise Drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day and note the amount of activity. It's better to know ahead of time whether the neighborhood is a noisy one. Future Development Look for new construction in the neighborhood.