How to Rate a Neighborhood When Buying a Home (or house?) in Sri Lanka

For the sake of his well being and steadfast existence, an average individual has to make number of key decisions during his life time. The persisting resolution to buy a house, due to natural impulse for the need of independence, can influence the better part of these key decisions.

But what are the factors that should be taken into account before a person determines his future abode? Mainly it is everything about its neighbourhood. So in this blog we try to give you a summation of that everything and to provide you a basic guidance in how to rate that neighbourhood which would enable you to better understand its negative and positive aspects.

Future of the neighbourhood

Number one factor you should consider about your future neighborhood; the future itself. Major infrastructural developments and big time industrial projects can bring complete change to the peaceful picture of the area you are seeing now.  

Not only government backed projects but also impending private startups can have a considerable effect on the quiet tranquility you wish for. The bare land that is only few hundred meters away that is now home only to wild birds and butterflies can be purchased next year by a timbre dealer to rig a saw mill. You can’t prevent things happening, but you can stay on the alert and be aware of what’s happening.

Reputation

Then there are places that the name alone gives you the shivers. Some calls to mind harrowing details of dreadful crime and violence. But again there are communities that exist in absolute harmony with rest of the world.

Notwithstanding what you have heard of it, good or bad, it is better to give a phone call to local police station and honestly explain them your hope in buying a house in the vicinity. Ask for the general crime rate. A Grama Niladhari can also help with the subject as well as officials in Divisional Secretariat Office.

People

This is a vital factor that you should specially worry about when you rate a neighborhood. The best possible way to get a first hand idea is to visit the area yourself and observe them surreptitiously and when you feel comfortable, talk to them.  

The local boutique, laundry, motel and garage are classic examples where you can stop and observe what is going on, taking care not to draw too much attention on yourself. Note the type of goods in display at the boutique and food at the motel, state of the clothes in hangars at the laundry, the vehicle models serviced at the garage.  Important above all; how people behave in these social hotspots. Are they being gruff and outspoken? or well mannered and silent?

Talk to the chief incumbent in the nearby temple, the father of the church, school principal and Grama Niladhari. Introduce yourself and clearly explain your requirement. They would most willingly help.  

Institutions

Find out about the institutions in the region in respect of Health, Economy, Education and Infrastructure of the particular community. For example there can be a government sponsored Base Hospital to look after the sick as well as private nursing homes and child care centres. State Banks may co-exist with Rural Cooperatives and Private Banks. Perhaps National schools would not be available in the area save for individual-owned educational centres.

Do not rely only on internet to find these details. Go see yourself. Talk to locals. Visit the institutions themselves and see how well they function. After all you are coming to live here. You have to make sure that your neighborhood amenities meet your requirements.

Transportation

Imagine for a moment that you have now actually bought your dream home. You have moved your furniture and things and ready to start with your new life. Tomorrow onwards you will be going to office from here. What would be the time you back out your car and head to work? At what time do you hope to catch the bus? Or the next train?

Try out this commuting part before you do the purchase. There is a chance you would see the situation in a different light.  

Normally we buy houses to have them as our homes and to live in them for the rest of our lives.

If we start buying houses with the hope of selling them later, then we would end up moving our furniture and things each time we purchase a new abode.

The houses we buy we hope would become our homes as long as we live. Even real estate agents prefer to keep their business separate from their homes where their families unite. So one thing is clear; when we buy a house we are going to stay there.

That is why, finding all details about neighborhood you are going to live in, does matter. The time you spent on fact finding would never go to waste!

Government operated websites such as http://www.statistics.gov.lk/ , http://www.police.lk/ , and http://www.rda.gov.lk/can be regarded as trustworthy sources of reliable information when you try to rate a neighborhood. For further online research “.gov.lk” can be used as a search phrase.

We wish you all the best and success in your future endeavors!