Picking the Perfect Neighborhood for a Home Renovation

Finding Renovations in the Perfect Neighborhood



I love a good home renovation, and nothing makes me happier than renovating in a great neighborhood. Maybe you run across a great home for a great price and you’re ready to put in an offer. No matter how excited you are about your find, you have to make sure to do a little homework on the neighborhood. Picking a great neighborhood is one of the essential rules of renovation. Great neighborhoods may not look exactly like you may expect them to, but with all of the experience I have from being Hilary Farr, house whisperer, I have a few tips and tricks that I can share with you.

X Marks the Spot

If you’re looking for a renovation project in nice neighborhoods only, you may find yourself looking for a long time. Though fixer-uppers do exist in nice neighborhoods, they are few and far between. Affluent neighborhood renovations are more likely to be found in slightly older neighborhoods.

On the flip side, neighborhoods that may typically be considered less-than-ideal are likely to be crawling with potential renos, but you have to be careful. Do your homework before you make an offer on a home. Check the crime statistics of the neighborhood and make sure it’s a safe buy. There is a big difference between rundown and dangerous, and you’ll have a harder time selling your house in a neighborhood where people are afraid.

On the Rebound

One of the best rules of renovation is to look for neighborhoods on the up-and-up. Neighborhoods on the rebound will likely be older, but will have several homes for sale that are selling faster and faster each week. As you start scouting out neighborhoods, make a note of ones where homes seem to be going faster and faster. I like to make note of these neighborhoods on my phone or in my planner and then make sure to check back on them periodically.

Life on the Edge

Another way to find a great place to renovate a home is to find a really affluent area of town and head to the edges. These neighborhoods are close enough to the big jobs and shopping centers that people want to be near, but are a little bit removed so the homes are more affordable. These edge neighborhoods often get overlooked by people in search of renovation projects in prominent hot spots. These spots sell well when renovations are done, so edge neighborhoods are a good investment.


No matter where you choose to buy, do your homework and make smart, calculated choices. Once you pick the perfect renovation spot, find more home renovation tips on the Rules of Renovation blog.

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