• Home
  • FREE Email Listing Updates
  • Search for Homes
    • Search The MLS
    • Search All Torrance
    • Search By Map
    • West Torrance
    • Southwood
    • South Torrance
    • Hollywood Riviera
    • North Torrance
    • Old Torrance
    • Central Torrance
    • South East Torrance
    • Marble Estates
    • Walteria and Victoria Knolls
    • County Strip/ Harbor Gateway
    • Plaza Del Amo
    • Foreclosures
    • South Bay homes & real estate
  • Search by Price
    • Below $350,000
    • $350,000 – $450,000
    • $450,000 – $550,000
    • $550,000 – $650,000
    • $650,000 – $750,000
    • $750,000 – $850,000
    • $850,000 – $1,050,000
    • Above $1,050,000
  • Sellers
    • What is my Home Worth?
    • How We Sell
    • Quick Home Valuation
    • Recent Home Sales
    • Quick Valuation
  • Market News
  • About
    • Your Torrance Realtor
      • Client Testimonials
      • Vista Sotheby’s
      • Contact Us – Torrance Realtor Keith Kyle of Vista Sotheby’s
      • Search for Homes by Torrance Neighborhood
      • The Cities in the South Bay
      • Our Google+ Profile
      • Home Selling Process
    • Torrance Unified Schools – Great Schools Make for Great Neighborhoods
    • Recent Torrance Sales & Home Prices
    • Market Trends
      • Hollywood Riviera
      • West Torrance
      • Walteria
      • Old Torrance
      • North Torrance West
  • Neighborhoods
    • Torrance Schools
    • Neighborhood Map
    • West Torrance
    • Southwood
    • Hollywood Riviera
    • Walteria & Victoria Knolls
    • South Torrance
    • Old Torrance
    • North Torrance
    • Plaza Del Amo
    • Central Torrance
    • 55+ Senior Communities
    • Souoth Bay and Palos Verdes

Torrance real estate and homes for sale

Keith Kyle - Vista Sotheby's International

You are here: Home / Torrance Home Buyer and Seller Tips, Information and FAQs / Choosing Your Home – Home Buyer Tips

Choosing Your Home – Home Buyer Tips

Choosing the neighborhood for your home Information for first time home buyers

Buying a home is an investment in the neighborhood as well as the house. In fact, the character and amenities of the neighborhood may be as important to the property value as the house itself. No matter what kind of neighborhood you’re looking for, it’s important to know its history and future when you decide to buy. Here’s what to research:

  1. Recent sales – Find out if the market is slow and what homes have been selling for.
  2. Homes now for sale – What homes are listed in the area, and are they listed above past sales? This will give you a good idea of the area’s overall market value.
  3. Home appreciation – Historical data on sales gives the best indicator of a neighborhood’s potential. Are homes appreciating at 3%, 5%, 10% or higher every year?
  4. Schools – School scores and district boundaries are very important to research before moving into a neighborhood. The closest school is not always in your district, and school scores reveal if a neighborhood is invested in the schools’ success.
  5. Crime – Get the hard facts about any problems in the neighborhood — don’t depend on anecdotal information.
  6. Demographics and growth – Find out how the area is growing and changing.
  7. Learn about neighborhood features, such as public schools, shopping areas, parks, commuting options and more.

I can help you with this information. Please give me a call or email me any questions you have. You’ll find that the more you know about the neighborhoods you’re considering, the easier it will be to narrow your search for your new home.

See our other articles for first time homebuyers:

  • FREE Listing Updates
  • What’s Your Home Worth?
  • Search Torrance CA Homes For Sale