Should You Buy a Home Near a School?

So, you found your dream home… but it is right near a school. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It all depends on who you ask. There are positives and negatives to everything, including house location. We will cover the pros and cons of living near a school so that you can make an educated decision.

Pros of Living Near a School

Increased Home Value

Buying a house near a school may actually increase your property value, leading to a higher resale price. By living close to a school, you may be able to set a higher listing price when you do decide to sell. As the old adage goes, “Location, location, location!” A lot of people are willing to pay premium prices for a house in a desirable neighborhood near a school.

Adult Classes

Many schools will allow outside organizations to hold adult classes at the school after hours. This could include anything from a GED program to a financial seminar to a quilting group. Adult classes are a great way to get in some socialization time not too far from your house. 

A Safe Neighborhood

The neighborhoods surrounding a school can be among the safest. Not only are there regulations on who can live near a school, but police may patrol areas surrounding a school more often. Additionally, many schools now have cameras or other security surveillance systems in place. This increased police presence and continuous monitoring can result in safer neighborhoods.

Walking Distance

Especially if you have elementary or middle school children, knowing that your kids can safely walk to and from school is a huge bonus. When they are old enough to walk to school by themselves, you will have peace of mind knowing that they are nearby. Before they are old enough, you can make it a daily routine to walk them to and from school, creating lasting memories.

Lower Speed Limit

There are usually lower speed limits near schools. This may also include a harsher penalty for someone who speeds in a school zone. Because of this, car traffic is usually nice and slow in the neighborhoods surrounding a school.

Part-time Neighbors

In Tennessee, schools are only in session for 180 days out of the year. This means that for the remaining 185 days, there is usually no one at the school. Exceptions can be made for sports teams that practice over breaks or over the summer. Regardless, this means that it will likely be even more quiet and peaceful in the neighborhood when school isn’t in session. 

Cons of Living Near a School

Increased Traffic 

During certain times of the day, there is guaranteed to be increased traffic when you live by a school. These times will likely be before and after school, but you could also see some increased traffic during the day if they hold parent assemblies or other special activities or events. Something else to consider is the likelihood of more car pollution due to increased stop-and-go traffic.

Noise Level

There can be a higher noise level in your neighborhood if you live near a school. This can be from kids playing, loudspeakers, school bells, cars, and more. If you live near a middle or high school, there could be increased nighttime noise and/or bright lights due to sports games or after-school activities. 

Parking Issues

Especially when there is an event or game, you could face parking issues. Once the school parking lot fills, overflow parking will typically spill into the surrounding neighborhood. It can also lead to increased noise and trash from people walking to and from their cars and the school. This is something that you will need to consider when deciding if you should buy a house close to a school.

May Sometimes Make It Harder to Sell

While there are plenty of people who do want to buy a home near a school, there are some who don’t. While you may not have a problem with selling when that time comes, there is the possibility that it could take a little longer to find the perfect buyer who appreciates all that living near a school has to offer.

Emergencies 

While we hope it never happens, sometimes emergencies occur at schools. If a school goes into lockdown, the surrounding neighborhoods could go into lockdown as well. There are also routine fire alarms and drills, which can be loud during the day, as all of the students gather outside. In the event of a major natural disaster, such as a tornado, earthquake, or flood, schools are usually used as shelters, leading to potential parking issues, more traffic, and extra noise.

Call the Real Estate Professionals at Marx-Bensdorf

We know Memphis and the rest of the Mid-South like the back of our hand. If you are searching for a new home or want to sell your existing one, the experienced REALTORS® at Marx-Bensdorf can help. We have served Memphis, TN and the surrounding areas with all of their real estate needs for over 150 years. Call us today at 901-682-1868! We will use our market knowledge, real estate expertise, and personalized customer service to make the home buying or selling process a breeze.