How to Choose a Neighbourhood in Chatham for Your Home Search

Narrow your home search by identifying neighborhoods in Chatham-Kent that are right for you. This helps keep your search focused and efficient. As an experienced realtor, I can provide you with plenty of neighbourhood information to guide you in your search.

When evaluating a neighbourhood you should investigate local conditions. Depending on your own particular needs and tastes, some of the following factors may be more important considerations than others:

  • quality of schools
  • property values
  • traffic
  • crime rate
  • future construction
  • proximity to schools, employment, Chatham hospitals, shops, public transportation, access to the 401 highway, Erieau beach, provincial and municipal parks, the Chatham-Kent Cultural Centre, museums, and theatres

Neighbourhood Search Strategies for Limited Budgets

If you’re a first time-buyer with limited financial resources, it's wise to buy a home that meets your primary needs in the best neighbourhood that fits within your price range. You can maximize your home purchase location by incorporating some of the following strategies into your Chatham-Kent neighbourhood search:

  • Upcoming neighbourhoods: Look for communities that are likely to become "hot neighbourhoods" in the coming years. They can often be discovered on the periphery of the most continuously desirable areas.
    Check for planned future development such as additional transit; new community services such as pools and theatres; and chain stores planning to move in.
    Look for a home in a good neighbourhood that is a bit farther outside of Chatham. Chatham-Kent is made up of 23 communities, and each has something unique to offer. If commuting is a concern, purchase a home that is close to public transportation.
  • Neighbourhood demand: Look at the neighbourhood demand by asking your Chatham-Kent real estate agent whether multiple offers are being made, whether the gap between the list price and sale price is decreasing, and whether there is active community involvement. You can also drive around neighbourhoods and see how many "sale pending" and "sold" signs there are in a particular area.
  • Co-ownership: Look into purchasing a condominium or co-op, rather than a house, in a desirable Chatham-Kent neighbourhood.

    • This way you still may be able to purchase in a prime area that you otherwise could not afford.