Ever experience "buyer’s remorse"?

That’s the sinking feeling that you really shouldn’t have bought that  $10000.00 widget that promised that you would be able to do everything that you believed that a widget should do, and more.  Magnify that feeling when you have just purchased a home, probably your most expensive investment.  Many people are sensitive to many other factors besides price and location in getting the home that they want.

Here are a few tips help you avoid the little surprises that could pop up AFTER you buy.

- Know the neighborhood.  Walk the neighborhood that you’re looking to purchase in, if you aren’t extremely familiar with it already.  Not only will it give you an idea about the types of people who live there, but you’ll get an idea of some of the key things that make a neighborhood pleasant.  Where are the stores?  What stores are there?  Where are the schools, and how do they look from the outside?  For really good information, spend time in your neighborhood at night.  Then you can really hear that barking dog, know how the traffic patterns work, and will be able to see just how many people go to that neighborhood bar in the evenings.  And do a "back alley" test; you’d be amazed how many things can be going on in the alley behind your prospective home.

- Check the schools.  An excellent article in MSN Money mentions a couple of websites:  Great Schools, and another from the NEA that will give you comprehensive information on the schools that Junior might be attending in the community that you are considering.  In addition, several schools, even private schools, have websites where you can find a wealth of education info - just keep in mind that a lot of this can be more "marketing" information, so read accordingly.

- Crime statistics.  Getting this information can be more difficult.  Some websites are available on the web that will give you crime information, but for the best information, sometimes it might be best to contact your local police departments.  Family Watchdog and the US Department of Justice both have resources to help you locate if sex offenders live in your neighborhood.

Besides neighborhood demographics (try Yahoo Neighborhood) or environmental concerns (information is available via Scorecard.org or the EPA), you might want to think about at least one other important factor that you won’t find at any website.  Assess realistically where you are in your life in conjunction with the home that you want to buy.  Are you a single person that loves the outdoors, or are you the member of a growing family that are city dwellers at heart?  Do you yearn for a large yard, or do you hate landscaping?

In the end, consider everything and use all the resources at hand before you make a decision.