How to Vet a Neighborhood

Your real estate agent is a valuable resource, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about the neighborhood you’re visiting. In many cases, your agent will want to drive you through the neighborhoods you’re considering to give you a bit of an insider’s tour and discuss pros and cons.

“A seasoned real estate agent will hopefully be really, really honest with the first drive-through of the neighborhood,” says Tracy McLaughlin, a real estate broker for The Agency’s Marin County, California, offices, and author of “Real Estate Rescue.”