New Survey Reveals Top NeighborhoodPriorities (NAPSA)—Anyone whos watched popular house-hunting shows knows suchfeatures as walk-in closets and multiple bathroomsare repeatedly named “must-haves” by homebuyers. It turns out, however, the old adage “location,location,location”is as true as ever whenit comes to what homeowners really want. Survey Shows In fact, according to thelatest inde- Many homebuyers believe the road direct-to-consumer mortgage unit of Ally Financial Inc., the feel of a commu- neighborhoodthatsuits their style. overwhelming at times, and it can be easy to lose sight of the important fac- Internet andcell phoneservice so they canstream theirfavorite shows without buffering interruptions. And, despite their reputation, millennials’ ideal community doesn't need to include an pendent survey from Ally Home, the to their dream house starts in a 30 percent of millennials seek a modfor home buyers. Fully 88 percent of ern community where they can walk to ‘Americans surveyed said a neighbor- everything, including reasonably priced hood’s vibe plays an importantrole in bars, restaurants andcoffee shops. deciding where to live—and nearly half Millennials are even willing to swap sayit's extremely important. curbappealfor great schools nearbyfor “The home-buying process can feel their kids (orfuture families) and strong nity, its “vibe? is a critical component tors,” said Diane Morais, President of Consumer & Commercial Banking Products at Ally Bank. “If consumers think ahead of time about the characteristics of their ideal neighborhood— whether its an area with a close-knit community, a place that’s walkable to stores or restaurants, or even a neigh- borhood with strongcell phone cover- age—it can help put them in stronger positionto find that perfect home.” Sure, a home’s price andits physical location are important considerations. But as a homeowner, its essential that yourtastes andlifestyle align with those of your community. The survey found four out of five Americans agreed. Nearly three-quarters would be willing to settle for a smaller house or pay a little more than originally intended to reside in their perfect neighborhood. Popular Neighborhoods So whatare the characteristics that organic market ora juice press. Homebuyersofall agesareattracted to pleasant locales, with 36 percent of respondentsinterested in a safe com- munity with friendly people. Another 21 percent prefer a family-centric neighborhoodvibe, where familieslive in close proximity to one another and socialize frequently as a community. Perhaps surprisingly, while Amer- icanslike their cultural centers, they’re not neighborhood must-havesfor most. ‘The survey found just 15 percent are interested in havingcultural attractions such as museums,historical sites, or theaters nearby. And less than 10 percentprioritize a greatselection ofretail shopsandanupscale urban setting. Visit https://www.ally.com/doit-right/home/whats-your-idealneighborhood-vibe/to take a short quiz comprise theideal neighborhoodvibe? Millennials make up more than a to reveal your personal neighborhood third of today’s home buyers, accord- vibe. ing to the National Association of Realtors’ 2018 Home BuyerandSeller Generational Trends Report. Almost Learn More Forfurtherfacts on homebuying, go to wwwaally.com.
