Getting ready to buy a new home? It’s one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you’ll make in a lifetime.

Some buyers want a new build. Others want a big beautiful backyard. Yet, there’s one need all potential homeowners have in common.

Location is the #1 criteria that homebuyers consider when getting ready to buy a house.

Neighborhood safety takes the win every time. Excellent school districts and low crime rates give homeowners peace of mind.

Before buying a home, it’s important to be certain you will feel safe in your new neighborhood. You can change the interior design and landscaping of your home. But you can’t change the location.

Here are 5 easy ways to find information on how safe your new neighborhood is.

1. Begin with an Online Search

Take to Google to perform your own background research. There are many online sources that can help answer the question of how safe is my neighborhood?

City Data provides tons of information on safety stats for the area. It has a yearly crime rate grid, broken down by the nature of the crime. It will give you the current number of sex offenders in the area, as well as the per person ratio.

AreaVibes gives you a total liveability score for a location. It takes crime, amenities, cost of living, employment, and other factors into consideration.

NeighborhoodScout offers crime statistics by address, with over 600 data statistics to view. It also analyzes trends and forecasts in an area. It gives you a complete crime profile on a property, but the service does cost money.

Visit Family WatchDog for a free report of sex offenders in your neighborhood. My Local Crime lets you sign up for security alerts in your area. It also shows recent crime reports.

Great Schools provides ratings and reviews of local schools and the education system.

There are also a few neighborhood location apps to check out.

• WalkScore, BikeScore, and TransitScore
• Walc
• Crime and Place
• Crime Mapping
• SpotCrime
• Mobile Patrol

Walkability is one of the top considerations for current homebuyers. They are even willing to spend more on a home that has a walkable neighborhood.

They want their home to be central to local parks, shops, and restaurants. Use the above apps to help you score the walkability of your neighborhood.

2. Go on a Walkabout

If you are local enough to the area, it’s best to do some investigating on foot. You’ll get a real-life feel for neighborhood safety. You can also get up close and personal with the daily activities and vibe of the area.

It’s important to visit the neighborhood during different times throughout the day. Scout it out when people are at home, vs when they are away at work.

Look into the lives of the homeowners, and get a sense of the neighborhood community. Is it a lot of families, or do you notice housing with many tenants?

If the town is near a college, be on the lookout for student housing. Also, pay attention to the number of cars in the driveway. To ensure you are not moving next door to the cast of animal house.

Do a driveby at nighttime. Take the temperature of how safe and secure the homes look. Make sure that you or your family would you feel safe walking around at night.

3. Ask the Locals

A personal recommendation is an organic and trustworthy source of information.

Stop by a local diner or restaurant for lunch. It’s a great place to catch local gossip. Pick the brains of the bartender or waitstaff.

Take your neighborhood stroll on a weekend. This way you can find friendly neighbors on morning runs or out doing yard work. Be polite and ask them for their opinion on the neighborhood.

You can also stop by a grocery store, hair salon, or post office to get an idea of the neighborhood safety rating. The local farmer’s market is another idea, and a great way to meet members of the community.

Ask your realtor for their safety rating on the neighborhood. Even if they are not local, they should be able to find resources to get you that information. If they can’t, it’s a sign you may have picked a bad realtor.

4. Pay Attention to the Signs

When walking or driving around the neighborhood, be on the lookout for signage. They may not scream, “crime in my neighborhood!” But you will be able to get a feel for how safe and secure the environment is.

Are road safety signs present? If it’s a busier street, there should be clear signage asking drivers to slow down. Crosswalks can also be helpful.

Take note of other caution signs and number of stop signs and intersection lights. Are there enough street lamps for nighttime visibility?

Also, pay attention to the signage neighbors post in their yards. This will give you a good idea of community involvement. Family-oriented neighborhoods often have signs promoting school functions and sporting events.

Find out if there’s a neighborhood watch program. This is an extra measure of safety for homeowners.

5. Tune Into the News

Fingers crossed, there isn’t anything bad to report, but the local news will tell you the worst of it. Browse through town newspapers, tv stations, and radio programs.

You can also go online to skim the headlines for crime stories. The media is also a great source of local happenings. Use it to see how involved the local community is.

You’ll also get an idea of school functions and parent involvement. While you’re at it, take to social media for more information. Search by geolocation or pinpoint businesses and community centers.

How to Stay Safe

If your home passes the safety test, there are still extra precautions you can take.

Install a Security System

A security system can make your home 60% less likely to get robbed. When an intruder notices you have a security system, they look elsewhere.

Opt for a system that you can keep an eye on while away or at work. Vivint and Nest and offer excellent automated systems.

Not able to install a security system right away? Create the illusion of security by placing a sign in your yard. Or stickers on your windows.

Add Landscape Lighting

Extra lighting will keep potential burglars at bay. You can leave them on all night or conserve energy through motion sensor technology.

Get a Dog

Who doesn’t need a fun, furry family pet? It’s fine if his bark is worse than his bite. He will still scare off anyone who comes near the home.

Be Smart About Safety

Even in the safest of neighborhoods, you should still practice proper safety techniques.

Lock all your doors and windows. Roll up windows and lock doors on your vehicles. Always report any suspicious behavior.

Consider starting a Neighborhood Watch Program if one isn’t already in place. Taking a claim on your community is on the list of things to consider when buying a home.

Neighborhood Safety, Check! So, What’s Next?

So your home passed the neighborhood safety test. Congratulations!

Now on to the all the fun of making an offer and purchasing your dream home. Follow this step-by-step guide for everything you need to know about buying a house.