All set to tour houses for sale in Barrie and find your dream home? You must be all excited! After months and years of preparing, budgeting, and researching, your homeownership journey is finally becoming tangible.

But wait a second there! Have you decided on the location where you’ll be looking for houses? And even if you have settled on a neighbourhood, did you research the spot thoroughly and make sure it qualifies as a “good location?”

If your answer to either or both of the questions is negative, you need to read this blog before you go house-hunting in Barrie!

Why Should You Take a Close Look at a Location Before Settling Down?

Ask any real estate professional or a homeowner to list 5 important things a property should have. Most of them would list “Location, Location, Location” first or at least in the fifth place. This phrase has been used by real estate agents since 1926, and this phrase holds true even now.

A key reason why location is so important while buying a home for sale in Barrie is that you can’t move a home easily or cheaply. From home buying costs to finding the right home and moving to a new place, changing homes frequently can be quite challenging. This is why apart from making sure that the property fits all the boxes, make sure the location fits your lifestyle and offers a long-term value.

Some homebuyers compromise on the location when they find a property that perfectly fits their needs, preferences, and budget. However, according to real estate agents, homebuyers may rather compromise on the property rather than the location.

This is because you can fix and renovate a property later on in a way that appeals to your preferences and lifestyle. However, you can neither change the bad features of a location nor can you really stop it from affecting your day-to-day life. So, if you haven’t put thought into the location of your future Barrie property, it’s time to do it now.

What to Look for in a Location When Buying a Barrie Home?

Now that you know the key role location plays in your home-hunting process, you must be wondering how to find a good location. To do that, you need to look at factors in the area that can potentially affect your lifestyle and the future resale value of the home. Here are the factors that the location of the house for sale in Barrie must essentially have -

1. Nearby Schools

The first thing that you need to check in the location is whether the neighbourhood falls within a school district or at least has top schools nearby. This is especially important if you have kids or are planning to have kids in the future.

Even if not, it’s still important that your location is near good schools in Barrie. This is because property values in good school districts tend to appreciate faster, making your would-be home a wise investment.

2. Crime Rates

Safety and crime-free should be your top priority when picking a location for your future home. After all, you wouldn’t want to live in a neighbourhood where thefts, robberies, and break-and-enter cases are an everyday scene.

Thankfully, there are tons of easy ways to find crime rates in different neighbourhoods. You can check out the dedicated crime mapping tool provided by the Barrie Police Service. This interactive map allows you to view reported crimes for various categories within a chosen date and specific neighbourhood of Barrie. You can also talk to residents in the Barrie neighbourhood where you’re looking for homes for sale.

3. Amenities and Transportation Options

The next important thing homebuyers prioritize in a location (and you should too!) is proximity to amenities and transportation options. This means how far or near is the property to -

• Grocery stores and supermarkets

• Pharmacies and medical facilities

• Shopping malls and retail stores

• Restaurants and cafes

• Parks and green spaces

• Bus stops and bus routes

• Train stations and subway lines

• Dedicated bike lanes and paths

When looking at the location, consider how close the home is to these important amenities and transportation options. This is important both for your convenience and your home’s resale value.

4. The Neighbours

You can’t change your next-door neighbours unless they decide to move to a new place. So, if your new house has less-than-desirable neighbours like ones who are excessively loud or have an unkempt property, it’s a red sign. These issues can disrupt your peace in the new home and also negatively impact the property value. So, before falling in love with a house for sale in Barrie, take a walk down the street and try to meet the neighbours if you can.

5. Future Appreciation Potential

Last but not least, consider the future potential of the location that can impact your property value appreciation. Many homebuyers ignore this aspect if they plan on staying in the property forever.

However, you never know when life may take a turn and you would have to sell your home sooner than expected. So, doing the legwork now to find a location with great growth potential can help you fetch a significant profit through your home equity down the line.

Here are some signs that indicate the future growth potential of a Barrie neighbourhood -

• Steady population growth, especially of young families.

• Areas with a high concentration of professionals, families, or retirees.

• A strong job market, presence of major companies, or industries experiencing significant growth.

• Planned or ongoing infrastructure projects like new transportation systems, commercial centres or public spaces.

There's an Expert to Help You Locate the Perfect Spot for Home-Buying

We’re talking about a real estate professional!

A Realtor can be super helpful when you’re trying to find the best location for your new home. They have an in-depth knowledge of the local housing market including different neighbourhoods, their demographics, amenities, crime rates, and overall character. They can help you understand the nuances of different areas and identify suitable locations to look for homes for sale in Barrie based on your needs and preferences. With their guidance and expertise, finding the perfect spot to call home can become a streamlined and rewarding process.