Buying in Halloween Hotspots
October 27, 2019 by Marty Orefice | Real Estate, Rent to Own
When you're purchasing a home the last thing you're probably thinking about is Halloween, but whether you're a parent or not, it's worth considering due to one factor: trick or treating.
Some spots are very popular for trick-or-treaters, others are pretty barren. Depending on your family circumstance and personality, you'll know which type of neighborhood is best suited for you to purchase a home.
Homeowners Without Children on Halloween
As an adult without children, you'll likely want to go out for Halloween or have a frightening night at home watching scary movies.
If you're a movie fan, then you won't want the sound of the doorbell ringing and interrupting your movie.
Should you choose to go out and leave your house vacant, you won't want to upset trick-or-treaters eager for candy who will take the phrase trick-or-treat much too literally. Angry trick-or-treaters tend to throw eggs and toilet paper at homes.
On the other hand, just because you don't have kids doesn't mean you don't get into the Halloween spirit. You might derive joy from seeing all the creative costumes that come up to your door, the smile on children's faces when you hand them their favorite candy or the decorations that adorn your neighbor's homes. Not to mention giving out candy to neighborhood children is a great way to get to know your neighbors.
Parents who are Homeowners on Halloween
As a parent on Halloween, you know that your kids are beyond excited about trick-or-treating. There's something special about driving home through a neighborhood decorated for the holidays. And more so, the opportunity to engage with your neighbors as you trick-or-treat with your children is valuable to your adult life.
Living in a neighborhood without Halloween spirit would be disappointing for your kids. But more so, it is beyond convenient to trick-or-treat around your block and head home versus driving to another neighborhood or a trunk-or-treat event far from home.
Thinking about the full year, neighborhoods that get into the Halloween spirit are often neighborhoods where other kids dwell. If you have children, you'll likely want to find a place to live where there will be friends (and babysitters) nearby.
How to Learn Which Neighborhoods get into the Halloween Spirit
If you're lucky enough to be househunting during October, take a drive through the neighborhoods you're interested in on Halloween and witness it for yourself. But, aside from waiting around for October to roll around, there are other ways to figure out whether a neighborhood will get into the Halloween spirit.
Consider driving through the neighborhoods during other key holidays, like the fourth of July, Christmas and Thanksgiving. If you see big inflatable decorations, wreaths or lights it's an indicator that you're in a neighborhood where festivity is a priority.
During any time of year, you can drive through the neighborhood looking for toys left on the lawn, kids playing in the yard or playgrounds. The more families in the neighborhood, the more important trick or treating will become to those living there.
Additionally, you can never underestimate the value of walking up to your potential neighbors and asking questions. Let them know that you're interested in moving to the area, and you want to make sure its a good fit for your lifestyle. Ask about the trick-or-treating scene and what kind of people live in the area. Is it an ideal neighborhood to raise a family or to live as a childless adult.
Lastly, consider renting to own. That will give you the opportunity to live in the neighborhood during all parts of the year to understand whether it's a good fit for you. Then, at the end of your lease term, you can determine whether you want to buy into the neighborhood. Do this after you've done the other options because once you start renting to own, there is a strong incentive to buy.
