When the time comes to look for a new house, the hardest part is deciding where to move. Are the schools good? Is there public transportation nearby?

Realtor.com compiled a short list of things to consider before deciding which neighborhood is right for you.

Always investigate local conditions. Compile a list of which factors are most important to you depending on your own needs and tastes.

These may include such things like:

•property values

•schools

•employment

•hospitals

•public transportation

•freeways

•airports

•beaches

•parks

•stadiums

•traffic

•crime rate

•future construction

If you are a first-time buyer, it is wise to buy a home that meets your needs in a neighborhood that fits within your price range. If you don’t have the funds to be able to remodel a home that needs work, you shouldn’t make the investment into a home that needs immediate fixing.

You can exploit your home purchase location by incorporating some of the following approaches into your neighborhood search:

•Look for communities that are likely to become "hot neighborhoods" in the coming years. They can often be discovered on the outskirts of the most desirable areas. Look for a home in a good neighborhood that is a bit farther out of the city. If commuting is a concern, purchase a home that is close to public transportation.

•Look at the neighborhood demand by asking your realtor 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 neighborhoods and see how many "sale pending" and "sold" signs there are in a particular area.

•Look into purchasing a condominium or co-op, rather than a house, in a desirable neighborhood. This way you still may be able to purchase in a prime area that you otherwise could not afford.

Remember, buying a home is a long-term commitment so you want to make sure you are in the right neighborhood!

-Orly