The Impact of School Districts on Home Values

Many factors impact the value of homes and properties. From lot size, to bathrooms, bedrooms, appliances, and repairs, there is so much that makes the price of a home go up or down. With school districts, this factor is important not only for understanding the value of a home but also for specific real estate clients, especially families with school-aged children. 

This article will cover how Nearby School Districts Influence Home Value and what you should know as a real estate agent. This information is important for agents to serve their clients well and make sure that both buyers and sellers. Let’s take a look and dive in so that you can make the most of real estate opportunities for clients buying homes near schools. 

Do School Districts Affect Home Values?

Absolutely. School districts play a significant role in home values. School districts that perform very well will drastically increase property value for homes within that district. There are many reasons for this. One of the most significant is that buying homes near schools performing well is desirable to families with school-aged children. Many buyers will pay significantly more to ensure their children can attend the best school in the area. In addition to demand driving up prices in good school districts, there are trends that show employment and access to goods and services are better in school districts that perform well. 

All of these play a significant role in the overall quality of life that people will experience in the new home. While lot size, bathroom updates, appliances, and the general space of a home are very important, it is equally, if not more important, for people to enjoy where they live and have the resources to provide an excellent education and quality life for their children and themselves. 

How School Districts Impact Home Value

Knowing how school districts impact the overall property value is important information for real estate agents. This way, you can explain price differences and factors to your clients. This will assist them through the buying or selling process and show that you are a knowledgeable and experienced agent they can trust with their real estate decisions. 

Whether a school district increases or decreases property value, you can use that information to help land sales. Let’s look at some ways that school districts impact property value so that you can be well-equipped to serve your real estate clients. 

School Districts and Property Taxes

School districts play a significant role in the overall value of homes but are also a significant factor in property taxes. Understanding how these differ from property to property is important so you can communicate it to your clients. School districts that perform well and are highly desirable will typically have higher property taxes than those that don’t perform well. 

Property taxes are especially important for the type of client you are selling to. Families with school-aged children may be willing to pay more in property taxes if they want to send their children to a high-performing school district. However, homebuyers without school children may not be as willing to pay those high property taxes as it is not of immediate benefit to them. 

 

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Unemployment Trends

Statistically, school districts that underperform or don’t do as well tend to have higher unemployment rates. These factors tend to have a negative impact on the overall quality of life in the area. Low-graduation rates in certain school districts are usually the result of a poorly performing district, which, in turn can result in higher levels of unemployment. 

Access To Goods and Services

Properties and homes in good school districts tend to have better access to various goods and services. These trends of more access to goods and services and higher employment rates are seen to be statistically correlated with consistently well-performing school districts. This factor affects the overall quality of life that your buyers will experience when moving to a new school district. Facts like these can help convince homebuyers that the higher price tag and property taxes are worth the overall day-to-day experience of living in a great school district. 

Utilizing School Districts To Sell Homes Fast

As the back-to-school season is upon us, it’s important to know all the various factors at your disposal to land sales at great prices quickly. Local knowledge can greatly affect how quickly you can sell a property. Knowing as much as possible about the neighborhood and school district where a home you are selling is located can help you make a great case for putting in an offer. 

Just as it is important to know when certain renovations were done on a property and other aspects like square footage, roof condition, etc., it’s just as important to share information on the area. For families with school-aged children, the school district in which the property is located will play a significant role in that demographic of buyers. 

By familiarizing yourself with information on the local school districts in your area and the influence they have on home values and property taxes, you can provide a comprehensive view of properties that you show potential homebuyers. This type of knowledge can set you apart from the competition and help you land sales quickly and provide an excellent experience for your clients. 

What Buyers Think About School Districts

Buyers will have different views on school districts depending on their needs. For families with school-aged children, the district in which a home is located will likely be strongly considered when deciding on a property to purchase. On the other hand, clients without school-aged children aren’t likely to be very interested in the school district in which a property is located. High-performing school districts are often in high demand and competitive for buyers, which will play a role in the real estate process. There may not be as much time for buyers to mull over putting an offer in on a desirable home in a great school district. 

Low-performing school districts may not be as desirable to families with school-aged children, but the lower prices and decreased property taxes may be great selling points for other buyers. Buyers without children may be much more allured by the potential savings and less concerned with how well the school district performs in their area. Knowing your client will allow you to frame the impact of nearby school districts influence home value in your favor to help you land a sale quickly. 

What To Know About School Districts and Home Values

Ready to learn more about how school districts affect home values? Let’s take a look at some of the key things you should know about school districts as a real estate agent during the back-to-school season. This information will help to ensure that you are able to provide the best possible experience for the homebuyers you work with. 

School District Matters Even For Homebuyers Without Children

As we discussed before, the school district will either positively or negatively affect the value of a home. For families with school-aged children, that will be significant in regard to their children’s education. Buyers without children are still affected by the impact of nearby school districts influence home value. This shows how much they will pay on the homes and their annual property taxes. It will also impact the value of their overall investment. 

Purchasing properties in good school districts will also impact their potential return on investment. These properties continue to increase in value as long as the school district continues to perform well. Knowing these factors will help you frame properties and market to different types of clients. Knowledge like this can help you land sales quickly and grow your business during the back-to-school season. 

Understanding School Ratings

As a real estate agent, it is important for you to understand how school ratings work so that you can confidently explain the school districts that the properties you are selling are located in. By understanding the rating system, you can quickly identify a school’s performance and explain the system to your clients. Experience and knowledge in these types of specifics can make a big deal to a client as they help to build confidence and help your clients feel empowered by working with you for their real estate needs. 

The National Center for Education Statistics is a great place to research specific schools and districts. During the busy back-to-school real estate market, it’s important to research these so that you can provide the appropriate and accurate information to your potential clients. Many families are looking to get settled in their new homes before the school year starts so that their children can start with the rest of the class on the first day. Because a portion of your clients may have school-aged children, it’s important to have this information about the local school ratings and district ready for them. 

Families With School-Aged Children Have Options

When it comes to landing a sale, certain properties may not hit all the notches on a client’s list. If the house is perfect for a family in every way except the school district, you can let your clients know about other options like private schools for their children. This is also a good option for families who may want to save money on property taxes and the house itself. 

Letting your clients know about potential other options can help you to land the sale quickly and close deals. You’ll also be able to make your clients very happy and help them feel like their needs are being considered and dealt with by you as their real estate agent. Taking extra care in these areas will also help provide excellent experiences for clients that they’ll be sure to share with friends and families when they are looking for a real estate agent. Putting in the extra care for referrals will help to ensure consistent leads and clients to grow your business going forward. 

To Sum It Up

As you can see, school districts play a significant role for various homebuyers. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the school districts for the properties you are selling as well as the needs of your clients will make a significant difference in how successful you are throughout the busy back-to-school season. 
Understanding how nearby school districts influence home value and property taxes can help you make sales and convince buyers to move. If your client has a need for a high-performing school district, you can convince them that the higher price tag and property taxes are a worthy investment for their children’s future. Alternatively, you can show investors and buyers without children how consistently high-performing school districts have properties that consistently increase in value over the years.